Ford acquires scooter-sharing start-up Spin

The US automobile manufacturer Ford has acquired the San Francisco-based start-up Spin, which offers a sharing service for electric scooters. According to its own statements, Spin, with branches in 13 US cities, is one of the leading sharing services for e-scooters in the USA. The electric scooters are ideal for covering short distances quickly and conveniently, the manufacturer outlines. In the expansion of the network, the company works closely with cities, universities, and local authorities. Particular emphasis is placed on transparency, sustainability, and responsible handling of usage data, it says. The range of mobility solutions has increased significantly in recent years. People often use several means of transport during a single journey. "To offer customers maximum flexibility in every situation, Ford is continually developing new products and services. The acquisition of Spin is the latest strategic step in this direction," the US company announced.

What does it mean?

Ford is taking action - and that's a good thing. The manufacturer, which primarily tries to save itself over time with large SUVs and pick-ups, urgently needs to round out its portfolio in terms of light mobility if it does not want to fall behind in the race for transformation into transport service providers, a path almost all car manufacturers are currently undergoing. This is why they rely on partnerships like car-sharing with DB subsidiary Flinkster or bike-sharing with DB subsidiary Call-a-Bike (Ford BikePass). In the transport sector, Ford collaborates with Streetscooter. Thus, the acquisition of an e-scooter sharing service logically fits into the picture. And it seems there is still enough money in the "war chest" for such acquisitions.