WOLFSBURG (dpa-AFX) - Volkswagen AG (VKW.L, VLKAF.PK, VOW.BE) has launched its new, stand-alone mobility services company, named Moia.
Moia, which will focus on ride-hailing and on-demand pooling services, is part of Volkswagen's efforts to enable a shift from conventional car making to digital mobility. The new company will challenge ride-hailing services such as Uber Technologies Inc. and Lyft Inc.
Volkwagen, which has been entangled in diesel-car emissions cheating issues, launched the new mobility services company at the 'Tech Crunch Disrupt' technology event in London on Monday. The German automaker noted that Moia will develop and market its own mobility services either independently or in partnership with cities and existing transport systems.
Moia will be headquartered in Berlin and begin operating with a team of around 50, with this number 'growing fast' up to the end of 2017. Volkswagen intends to generate a substantial share of its sales revenue from this new business by 2025.
'Our sights are set on becoming one of the global top players for mobility services in the medium term. To achieve that we will be seeking to attract the best minds and technology start-ups', Ole Harms, CEO of Moia, said.
Moia will also have a location in the city of Hamburg. In the fall, the Volkswagen Group and Hamburg agreed to a three-year strategic mobility partnership to make urban mobility more environmentally-friendly, safer and efficient. The findings from this partnership will also be incorporated in future Moia projects in Europe.
The management team of Moia comprises Ole Harms as CEO, Dr. Frank Dilger as CFO and Robert Henrich as COO, who will take up his post on January 1, 2017. An Advisory Committee chaired by Thomas Sedran, Head of Group Strategy at Volkswagen AG, will support Moia's leadership team.
Moia will focus on ride hailing via app. Volkswagen Group has a $300 million strategic investment in London-based ride-hailing service Gett. Gett app users can already instantly book on-demand transportation, delivery and logistics in more than 100 cities worldwide.
Moia will also focus on the pooling business. The company's goal is to set up its own on-demand pooling services via app - also known as 'connected commuting'. The first pilot projects in this field are scheduled to begin in 2017.
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