Maven to allow non-GM vehicles on car-sharing platform

Maven plans to open its peer-to-peer car-sharing program to non-General Motors vehicles in mid-2019.

Julia Steyn, vice president of GM Urban Mobility and Maven, made the announcement Monday during a presentation at the UBS Global Technology Conference in San Francisco.

Since Maven launched peer-to-peer in July, about 40 percent of hand-raisers for the program have been people with non-GM vehicles, according to Steyn's presentation. She did not disclose the number of vehicle owners who have submitted an online inquiry to include their vehicle in the program.

Maven's current peer-to-peer initiative allows owners and eligible lessees of GM vehicles -- 2015 and newer -- to make them available on its car-sharing platform for cash. That model-year requirement is expected to remain with non-GM vehicles, according to a Maven spokeswoman.

Revenue in the peer cars program is split 60-40 between the vehicle owners and GM -- in line with competitors.

Maven's peer-to-peer service was launched as a trial in Chicago, Detroit and Ann Arbor, Mich. It is expected to expand to seven additional cities by the end of the year.

"We're poised for growth," Steyn said during the presentation. "We are doubling our revenue every year. We're going to get to a very significant critical mass in the next couple of years."

Maven's current car-sharing marketplace, including peer-to-peer and short-term rental services, is just the first stage in what could be a diverse line of sharing services, Steyn recently told Automotive News.

Cars and trucks are the main target for growth now, she said, but future endeavors could include anything that sits idle -- from lawn mowers to more expensive offerings such as RVs and boats.

"We want to bring Maven to a diversified and large marketplace that fits people's personal needs and professional needs," Steyn said.