MINI to launch its car-sharing service in South Africa

In a South African first, MINI is preparing to launch MINI Sharing this year, a service to enable MINI and non-MINI drivers alike to get behind the wheel of their favourite MINI with just a few taps on their smartphones.

The BMW Group has identified digital mobility services as one of the fields to advance as part of its NUMBER ONE> NEXT strategy. With its increased commitment to the D-ACES (Design, Autonomous, Connected, Electrified and Services) topics, the company is playing a leading role in shaping mobility of the future.

“MINI drivers are always ahead of their time and, with MINI Sharing, we will enable a group of MINI fans to participate in the burgeoning sharing economy in this country,” said Shaun Willis, Head of MINI South Africa.

“MINI is taking on a pioneering and innovative role in advancing urban mobility in South Africa,” Willis continued. “MINI Sharing creates new opportunities to share the MINI experience and this technology fits perfectly with our desirable cars and our innovative customer demographic.”

The car-sharing scheme is being tested for local conditions ahead of its launch in the third quarter of 2020 as a pilot programme in the key urban area Sandton, in Johannesburg. Initially, MINI Sharing will be available to a closed group of users, although plans are afoot to expand the offering to other quintessentially urban locations within South Africa.