The scheme is based on the CarUnity app, which can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store and Google Play and enables car owners to decide who may rent their car. For example, users may offer their car only to their Facebook friends or to people in their personal CarUnity network.

Fuel costs are covered by the renter and insurance is provided through a package provided by Opel Bank GmbH and covered by R+V Allgemeine Versicherung AG.

“The slogan ‘Better off sharing’ says it all,” says Dr Jan Wergin, director Opel Community Carsharing. “Everyone involved benefits from this clever carsharing idea.”

A number of Opel employees and dealers have already made their cars available to the community for the premiere of CarUnity whilst some models from Opel Classic are also available.

Against the background of the increasing importance of mobility services, Opel also announced closer cooperation with the ridesharing platform flinc. From 2016, flinc will provide the technical platform so that ridesharing can also be offered via the car-sharing app.

“Just like for CarUnity, we will go our very own way,” explained Jan Wergin. Further details will be announced at a later date.