Maven goes official in Aus

GENERAL Motors has officially launched its Maven ‘personal mobility brand’ in Australia, with the ride-sharing and car-sharing operation set to expand following successful local trials.

GoAuto reported last week that the GM-owned mobility brand had launched Down Under, and now it has officially announced the Maven Gig service, which is essentially a leasing program for drivers of ride-sharing operations such as Uber.

Drivers can enter into a short-term or long-term lease – ranging from as little as four weeks to several months – on one of a number of Holden models, including the Astra hatch and sedan, Trax crossover or Captiva SUV.

Describing Maven Gig as a “game-changing enabler for the sharing economy”, the company says it offers access to Holden cars for an “all-inclusive and transparent” rate that starts from $215 per week.

As reported, the Trax LT costs $225 per week, an Astra R hatch is $240 per week, an Astra LTZ sedan asks $260 per week, and the seven-seat Captiva LTZ is $300 per week inclusive of all on-road expenses with the exception of fuel and cleaning.

Maven requires at least seven days’ notice to return a vehicle, which includes a $300 bond and a maximum $1000 insurance excess for drivers over 25 should an at-fault accident or other damage occur.

Maven Gig is currently only available in Melbourne and Sydney – although there are plans to expand, with Adelaide the next likely location – with Holden’s Port Melbourne headquarters and the Peninsula Holden dealership in Bankstown, Sydney serving as the current collection points.

The company says that to date it has more than 350 Maven Gig members on the books and more than 250 cars on the road, covering more than two million kilometres.

Of the 350 members, 37 per cent are aged 30 or younger and 50 per cent have a foreign nationality, according to Maven.

Maven Australia general manager Matthew Rattray-Wood said Maven Gig gives GM and Holden the opportunity to be a part of the growing sharing economy in Australia.

“GM Holden is always looking for ways to evolve and respond to the changing needs of the Australian market,” he said. “We’re excited to unveil the latest innovative form of mobility services direct from our parent company, General Motors, in the US.

“Maven is building a platform for the future of mobility for people and for business, tapping into the fast-growing sharing economy. The launch of Maven in Australia is a great example of our ability to leverage the global leadership of General Motors in the area of urban mobility.”

Maven Gig follows Maven Campus, which is a ride-sharing service similar to existing offerings such as GoGet, Flexicar and GreenShareCar that has been running as a pilot program at Holden’s headquarters in Port Melbourne and the parts warehouse in Dandenong since last year.

Maven Campus is open to all employees at the aforementioned sites and currently has 500 members and has recorded 4400 bookings so far, with about 100,000 driving hours clocked up in Maven Campus cars.

The members can access cars from a pool for a rental fee, but it is unclear which Holden models are used in this service.

Mr Rattray-Wood said the company was happy with the early response to Maven Gig and Campus and said an expansion of both services was on the cards.

“We’re very happy with the success of Maven Gig and Campus so far, we’ve hit a sweet spot in the market and our customers are telling us just that. It’s particularly great to be able to help and engage with young Australians under 30 from diverse cultural backgrounds.

“However, this is also just the start for Maven and helping shape the next-generation of personal mobility. Maven, and GM Holden, is assessing and testing a range of different programs and options.

“We’re examining not just the expansion of Maven Gig to other cities in Australia but also how we can potentially bring this technology and opportunity to the wider public. Watch this space.”