Lyft is taking over FreeNow from Mercedes & BMW

The American ride-hailing company Lyft is acquiring the mobility app FreeNow from Mercedes-Benz and BMW for a purchase price of around 175 million euros and 197 million US dollars, respectively.

Image: Lyft

FreeNow writes that it will continue its business as before and intends to expand its growth in nine countries and over 150 cities. The countries Lyft plans to expand in include Ireland, the UK, Germany, Greece, Spain, Italy, Poland, France and Austria. The transaction is expected to be completed in the second half of 2025, but is still subject to customary regulatory approvals.

“We’re on an ambitious path to build the best, most customer-obsessed mobility platform in the world, and entering Europe is an important step in our growth journey,” said Lyft CEO David Risher. “We found the perfect partner in FREENOW and can learn a lot from the team. FREENOW’s local-first approach mirrors Lyft’s values and embodies our purpose — to serve and connect.”

“Joining forces with Lyft is a powerful step forward for FREENOW and marks the beginning of an ambitious new phase—one where we strengthen our role as a leading force in European mobility,” said FREENOW CEO Thomas Zimmermann. “Lyft’s strong, customer-first track record aligns perfectly with our deep roots in the taxi industry, and together we will push boundaries and raise expectations for fleet owners, taxi drivers, and riders across the continent.”

Lyft also specifies that some changes will be made once the takeover is complete, promising more transparency around earnings for drivers, “such as when to expect incentives and real-time information on the best times to drive.” For riders, that may look like more consistent pricing, faster matching, and new features and modes. The companies will also focus on integration for riders to seamlessly use either app across the Atlantic, whether they’re in North America or Europe

lyft.com

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