ReachNow is expanding its service offering in Seattle.
BMW’s car-sharing program recently rolled out new long-term rates for customers that want to rent one of 520 free-floating vehicles for up to five days.
When ReachNow launched in Seattle this past May, it implemented automatic price caps at three hours ($50), 12 hours ($80), and 24 hours ($110). ReachNow’s normal rates run at $0.49 per minute (currently at a $0.41 promotional price).
But now customers can get discounts the longer they use their vehicles. Expanded price caps now start at $180 for two days; $250 for three days; $300 for four days; and $350 for five days.
ReachNow also now allows for five-day rentals; one-time usage was capped at four days previously.
Holly Houser, ReachNow’s Seattle market manager, told GeekWire that the new price caps were in response to increased customer interest in long-term rentals — for example, taking a weekend trip to the mountains.
“It’s really our commitment to providing a mobility option that is flexible and meets as many mobility needs as our members have,” she said.
There’s also an appeal for business travelers, Houser said.
“They want to use our cars sort of like a rental vehicle and secure a car for a one-to-five day trip when they are in town,” she said.
At around $70 per day for five days, that’s a bit more expensive than what you’ll find at a traditional rental car company, but ReachNow does offer convenience like free parking in city spots.
This is one of several additional mobility options that BMW plans to add to its ReachNow service in Seattle, in addition to the airport service it launched in August.
Steve Banfield, ReachNow CEO, told GeekWire in May that there are plans to roll out a number of other services, including a concierge option where BMW brings you a vehicle, instead of you having to find one yourself; an Uber and Lyft competitor that will allow people to earn revenue by driving other users around in ReachNow cars; or a way for BMW owners to lease their own cars within the ReachNow network.
ReachNow racked up more than 13,000 members in its first month after debuting in Seattle. It competes with Car2go, which has 82,000 members in Seattle, and Zipcar, among others. ReachNow also launched in Portland, its second city, last month, and has plans to eventually service 10 North American metros.
