Honda inks MoU with Grab Inc for motorcycle sharing services in South East Asia

Honda Motor Co has announced today that, on November 22, 2016, it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Grab Inc, to begin discussions toward collaboration in the area of motorcycle sharing services in Southeast Asia. Grab provides ride-hailing platform through which users share and utilise automobiles and motorcycles.

In recent years, the ‘sharing economy’ representing activities to promote the shared use of commodities has experienced a global growth trend. Within this trend, signs of the oncoming structural change which will shift emphasis from ‘ownership’ to ‘shared use’ of products have become increasingly visible in the motorcycle market in South East Asia as well.

Against this backdrop, Honda and Grab say they will work together and strive to realise new mobility services in the area of sharing by conducting experimental initiatives in South East Asia while utilising resources of the two companies. This includes the knowledge Grab has been collecting through its ride-hailing businesses and Honda’s motorcycle lineup, sales network and services.

Through the collaboration with Grab, Honda says it will work on the mitigation of traffic congestion in urban areas through the utilisation of its original telematics and other technologies. Honda will also strive for the further reduction of CO₂ emissions through the adoption of motorcycle products with high environmental performance. Moreover, it aims to enhance safety awareness among riders through utilisation of Honda’s know-how and facilities for traffic safety education.

Commenting on the Mou, Shinji Aoyama, operating officer and director, Honda Motor Co, said: “In the midst of the dramatic structural change of the mobility industry, the ‘sharing economy’ that is rapidly expanding all around the world has great potential to broaden the concept of mobility itself. For the collaboration with Grab, we will discuss how we can offer safer and more convenient products and services for our shared goal of resolving issues and challenges facing society in Southeast Asia.”

Ming Maa, president, Grab Inc, added: “We are excited to enhance the GrabBike (Grab’s motorcycle ride-hailing platform) user experience for our rapidly growing community of GrabBike drivers and riders by partnering with Honda and create a more sustainable and efficient transport supply for Southeast Asia.  We look forward to collaborating with Honda on innovative mobility solutions over the long term as we continue to drive Southeast Asia forward.”