GM adds Sidecar ride sharing assets to Lyft stake, to open rental hubs, files patent

Separately, GM has filed an application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to use the name Maven “for application software for connecting vehicle drivers and passengers and for coordinating transportation services.” The application states that Maven also would engage in the rental of vehicles, bicycles and motorized bicycles, scooters and other transportation services for people and freight. GM and Lyft will open rental hubs where drivers can rent GM vehicles. That could expand Lyft’s business by giving people who don’t own cars a way to earn money by becoming Lyft drivers even though they don’t own a car. Lyft drivers currently use their own vehicles to drive customers utilizing the Lyft mobile app.