Skip to main content

Getaround acquires Drivy in $300m deal

US car-share company Getaround has acquired European competitor Drivy in a $300 million deal, expanding its presence into France, Germany, Spain, Austria, Belgium and the UK. Getaround says the deal allows drivers in Europe to earn money by making their car available to rent on its service. Getaround’s patented technology platform - Getaround Connect - enables users to locate and unlock cars using their smartphone. Meanwhile, Drivy offers a smart unlock function – a connected technology which removes the
April 30, 2019 Read time: 2 mins
US car-share company 8262 Getaround has acquired European competitor Drivy in a $300 million deal, expanding its presence into France, Germany, Spain, Austria, Belgium and the UK.


Getaround says the deal allows drivers in Europe to earn money by making their car available to rent on its service.

Getaround’s patented technology platform - Getaround Connect - enables users to locate and unlock cars using their smartphone. Meanwhile, Drivy offers a smart unlock function – a connected technology which removes the need for renters and owners to meet to pick up car keys.

Paulin Dementhon, Drivy founder and CEO, says: "Car-sharing will replace car ownership in large urban markets, meeting consumer demands for instant and flexible transportation options, while also making cities more liveable by freeing them from idle cars and reducing congestion and pollution in the process.

Dementhon will remain in his role as CEO of Europe, as will Drivy’s executive team, to oversee European operations.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Sound synthesis makes hybrid and electric vehicles safer
    January 20, 2012
    The growing popularity of hybrids and electric vehicles gives rise to new safety issues in urban environments, as many of the aural cues associated with engine noise can be missing. The solution is to intelligently make vehicles noisier. The rise in popularity of hybrids and Electric Vehicles (EVs) is a result of environmental pressures, shifts in taxation and emerging technologies for batteries and motors. Competition among the car manufacturers means these vehicles need to be cost effective to buy and ope
  • Inrix expands into smart parking with acquisition of ParkMe
    September 10, 2015
    Inrix is accelerating its development of smart parking services with the acquisition of ParkMe, a Santa Monica, California company that helps drives find parking, make reservations and mobile payments worldwide. According to Inrix, the acquisition expands its data aggregation and industry expertise, enabling it to more rapidly deliver a comprehensive set of parking services, including locating, comparing, reserving and paying for parking from a smartphone or vehicle. The acquisition also expands the par
  • ITS initiatives provide travel information for disabled passengers
    December 4, 2012
    David Crawford investigates initiatives and issues in travel information for disabled passengers. World Health Organisation estimates suggest that 10% of the global population live with a disability. This can impact directly on their mobility, with implications for their independence; keeping active; and travelling to work, education and social activities; as well as the accessibility of information necessary to aid mobility. The EU-supported ‘CARDIAC’ project (Coordination Action in R&D in Accessible & Ass
  • Intelligent mobility leverages user-focused smartphone business model
    November 13, 2015
    New analysis by Frost & Sullivan claims the mobility network will draw inspiration from the user-interface oriented and service-driven, smartphone business model, to render car ownership an option for consumers. The subscription and user model of accessing vehicles will coexist alongside the traditional sales and ownership model, thereby enabling mobility-on-demand solutions for every commuting need. Even though the analysis, The Future of Intelligent Mobility and its Impact on Transportation, expects a