The end of car ownership
I imagine a day, when I would turn on my cell phone to locate a free car near me. Any car that the system identifies for me within seconds. I would open the car with a code that is being delivered to my cell phone. The selection of the car would be based on my driver profile and my usage preference. My standard preference would be to find a parked, empty car from a range of brands, say BMW or Citroen, within 100 meters of my location.
Wo needs to own a car? I guess two generations will have to pass before people can give up the thaught that a car has something to do with status. Because besides status, why would anybody want to own a car? It´s insane.
Instead one would book a car, any car, that one may choose anytime for any period of time. To prevent abuse, credits could be deducted from a person's driver account based on the condition and performance features of the car.
People´s driver profiles who are similar - for example people living in the same city travelling the same routes each day, would be able to share the same vehicles. For them it would then make sense to pay a chauffeur instead of driving themselves.
Published: July 26, 2005
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Sounds pretty much like "Catch a bike", only for cars.
Car Sharing exists (e.g. for city cars like Smart), you co-own a car with other users. Fixed fee + pay as you use.
The idea of owning a car is an emotional one. You own the possibility to drive anywhere you wan't, when you want. It is the feeling of mobility. It is something personal that matches YOUR taste. You know the condition of your car. You can trust it. Some people LOVE their cars. Think of millions of chinese switching from their bycicles to cars.
I like the idea to access and pay a car with my fingerprint. Your model could work in big cities where you reach a critical mass. E.g. in NYC it is insane to own a car. Most people rent one when they need it (vacation, trip to IKEA,..). However, it is much cheaper to take a cab. And who wants to rent a car only to be stuck in a traffic jam?
I could imagine an approach with a limited fleet of cheap city cars, but not with premium brands. Let's say 100 grass green "Cityhoppers".
Mobility might be something personal, but why must the transportation method be something personal? I want to ride a Harley when i like and tomorrow drive a cityhopper if i must, but i do not need to own any transportation machine. People transportation in the future requires us to think more in terms of transportation networks that we jump on when we need to. Mobility stays a personal choice, but why own a BMW? Today, in some areas, it is already ceaper not to own a car but to have an account with SIXT and choose any car models that you like, anytime.
But probably you are right about the emotional/trust aspect..since i would like keep owning my bike ;-)