Mercedes Looks to Find Its Car-Sharing Croove

Next month Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz unit plans to launch a peer-to-peer car-sharing platform in Europe called Croove that will link users with private vehicle owners. Pilot tests will start in Munich.

The smartphone-based program is open to all owners, regardless of their car’s brand, as long as the vehicle is in “good” condition and no more than 15 years old. The app provides suggestions to help owners create an online profile with details about their vehicle and rental rates.

Renters must be 21 years old and have a valid driver’s license. Once registered with Croove, they can search for nearby owners and contact them directly via the smartphone app to schedule a vehicle.

A car can be picked up or delivered to any mutually agreed upon location. Owners and users will inspect the vehicle together before and after the rental using Croove’s inspection checklist.

The app also will facilitate electronic payments, and it allows both parties to rate each other. The app initially will be limited to iPhones but is expected to expand to Android smartphones and desktop computers soon after launch.

Croove is more flexible than Daimler’s 8-year-old car2go service, which allows users to rent fleet-owned Mercedes models. Customers must pick up and leave the rental car from authorized parking spots. Daimler also operates the MyTaxi service in Europe that enables riders to connect directly with licensed taxi drivers via a smartphone app.