 "Bhavish Aggarwal, Co-founder and CEO, Ola Cabs")
German luxury car maker BMW and taxi hailing app Ola, on Monday, signed a deal to supply vehicles for the web-based, on-demand mobility market. This is an extension of Ola's plans to expand the 'Lux' services to cities other than Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru where it is already running these services.
Ola however started this service back in June this year when a pilot was launched in south Mumbai that included cars from Mercedes-Benz and Audi and even from Toyota and Honda. Through this association, BMW vehicles will be available to Ola fleet operators with attractive offers. BMW India will also offer both pre and post sales ownership.
Additionally, BMW Financial Services India will offer 100 per cent financing for up to four years starting at 'low' interest rates. Operators will also get an assured buy-back for the car on completion of the contract. Ola Lux is available for booking at a minimum fare of Rs 250 and Rs 20-22 per/km. The category also allows customers to book the cars on an hourly basis, via its rentals feature.
Features like driver details being displayed upfront, SOS buttons, Auto-Connect Wi-Fi, live tracking and seamless payment using Ola Money will continue to offer a comfortable experience to commuters.
Frank Schloeder, President (act.), BMW Group India said, "The way people move is changing and this is also true for the premium clientele. Individuals want quick access to mobility without compromising on quality and comfort. We are confident that this association will be a game changer in the premium on-demand mobility segment in India." Operators will also benefit from driver training programs that BMW India will organise. Certified BMW instructors will familiarise drivers with the versatile capabilities, technology, safety systems and features of BMW cars in detail.
Last month, Ola joined hands with utility vehicle market leader Mahindra & Mahindra to source 40,000 vehicles collectively worth around Rs 2600 crore spread over the next two years.
