BMW introduces ‘Rent a Ride’ Program

BMW is always looking for new ways to get motorcyclists on to two-wheels – and that’s why the Bavarian brand has created a “Rent a Ride” program, offering short-term rentals direct from BMW dealerships.

The concept is currently in its pilot phase, and at the minute is only running in Germany, Austria, and France. BMW is starting off small, with only two dealers from market having a small fleet of motorcycles for renters to choose from. But if it’s successful, the BMW “Rent a Ride” program will be rolled out to all BMW Motorrad dealers – and effectively give the German brand the largest motorcycle rental network in the world.

While some BMW dealers already offer a rental services like the one BMW Motorrad is developing, the “Rent a Ride” program seeks to unify these efforts under one easy to use mobile application. BMW’s aiming to make renting a motorcycle painless and easy, with bookings and payments easily secured via the app, while BMW dealers handle briefing the rider on how to use the machine, as well as servicing the vehicle post-ride. Sounds brilliant to us.

Henning Putzke, Head of BMW Motorrad Germany said: “This new mobility scheme gives our customers an attractive and straightforward way of familiarizing themselves closely with a wide range of our BMW motorcycle models on a non-binding basis – by taking a weekend trip, for instance.”

Timo Resch, Head of International Sales and Marketing BMW Motorrad said: “Mobility services are a future focus area that forms one of the cornerstones of our corporate strategy. By offering Rent A Ride, BMW Motorrad is advancing the BMW Group’s development towards becoming a customer-oriented mobility company. If the first season of Rent A Ride goes according to expectations, the aim will be to expand the scheme to cover the full extent of the BMW Motorrad sales network.”