GM Hooks Up With RelayRides Car-Sharing Service

Just the Facts:

• General Motors is partnering with RelayRides, a car-sharing service, with the help of OnStar's remote-unlock capabilities.
• RelayRides borrowers will be able to unlock GM cars with their mobile phones.

DETROIT — General Motors is partnering with RelayRides, a car-sharing service, with the help of OnStar's remote-unlock capabilities.

The program, which will launch early next year, will allow owners of GM vehicles to rent out their idle vehicles through RelayRides.

"Our goal is to find ways to broaden our customer reach, reduce traffic congestion in America's largest cities and address urban mobility concerns," said Stephen Girsky, GM vice chairman, in a statement on Wednesday.

The step follows a similar announcement by Ford on August 31. Ford and Zipcar formed a strategic alliance to provide 2012 Ford Focus and Ford Escape vehicles on university campuses. Ford said it will sell up to 1,000 vehicles to Zipcar as part of the deal.

The GM and RelayRides deal allows consumers to rent out their GM vehicles, with the owner controlling the rates and availability of the car. The car-sharing service will provide a "$1 million insurance policy to make the transaction safe," said GM in a statement.

RelayRides borrowers will be able to unlock GM cars with their mobile phones. A mobile phone application is planned that will allow customers to check for available vehicles, make an online reservation or locate the reserved vehicle via GPS.

For vehicles that are not OnStar enabled, RelayRides must install a device in the car to provide access to borrowers. The service is described as a "peer-to-peer" approach to car-sharing.

Inside Line says: Just one more way to get you behind the wheel of a GM vehicle.