Audi plans to offer chauffeur service as part of Audi On Demand mobility scheme
Audi has announced a major expansion of its Audi On Demand “mobility” concept – including a chauffeur service.
Audi has been piloting Audi On Demand in Munich and San Francisco. The service will be launched in 15 major markets by 2020, including the UK. And executives at the Audi Summit in Barcelona confirmed that the scheme, which allows customers to access any Audi model for short- or medium-term rental, will expand to include a chauffeur service.
Bettina Bernhardt, managing director of Audi Business Innovation, (pictured) said offering a chauffeured service was just as important a part of a mobility service as a self-drive service.
“Our first target will be China – then it depends on demand in the country. But it is planned to have a chauffeur service in the US and Europe,” she said, adding that Audi would look to partner with local companies in order to source suitable chauffeurs, rather than employing chauffeurs.
“The future of mobility will not focus only on cars,” Bernhardt said. Audi On Demand is designed so customers can hire “an Audi for every occasion”, she added. Customers can download an Audi On Demand app and use that to book cars for hourly, daily or weekly hire up to three months. Cars are delivered from local dealers within two hours of the booking being made.