“Future Lanes” is a special WiT Podcast series powered by Meili, a tech company that is rewriting the rules of ancillary distribution. The series, covering six episodes, is all about getting direct – cutting through the noise with unfiltered conversations on what’s shaping the next decade of travel. No fluff – just straight, feisty talk about what it takes to find your future lane in travel.
Listen to Episode 3:
“Exclusivity can sometimes limit customer choice and push operators into suboptimal business decisions. Today, partnerships that prioritize mutual benefits and customer-centric solutions are the way forward.” – Michel Taride
The big shift: From pen and paper to AI and blockchain
Michel Taride began his career at Hertz in 1980, a time when car rental operations were a far cry from today’s tech-savvy landscape. “It was pen and paper, microfiche, and telex,” he recalled, emphasizing how the advent of the internet in 1996 revolutionized the industry.
Hertz was among the first car rental companies to launch a website, paving the way for real-time bookings and greater transparency. Yet, as Taride pointed out, these innovations also introduced complexities such as price commoditization and third-party distribution models that often diluted brand value.
Today, the industry stands on the brink of another revolution. Taride highlighted emerging trends like AI, generative AI, and blockchain, which he believes will redefine mobility and travel. “AI will enable more tailored, personalized journeys, while blockchain could streamline the complex flow of data across the travel value chain,” he said.
These technologies, coupled with new mobility models like car sharing, ride-hailing, and autonomous vehicles, promise to transform how consumers engage with transportation.
Technology’s role in solving friction
For Mike McGearty, CEO and co-founder of Meili, the car rental industry’s current challenge is modernizing its legacy systems to address the friction points that persist in customer experiences. Meili, the technology platform McGearty leads, is designed to empower service providers by streamlining direct distribution, improving data usage, and enhancing the end-to-end customer journey.
“Legacy tech stacks are a major hurdle for established car rental companies,” McGearty explained. “They’re inflexible, costly to update, and slow to adapt to market needs.”
Meili’s platform aims to tackle these challenges by enabling operators to leverage customer data more effectively, roll out innovations like keyless entry seamlessly, and maintain control over their distribution.
The benefits of direct distribution were a recurring theme throughout the conversation. Taride emphasized how controlling the customer relationship helps preserve brand integrity, deliver superior service, and unlock the full potential of loyalty programs. “When customers book directly, they get a better experience. They know who they’re renting from, and they can access rewards like fast-track service or premium options,” he noted.
The death of exclusivity and the rise of partnerships
Both Taride and McGearty acknowledged a major shift in the industry’s distribution strategies – from exclusive relationships to more flexible partnerships. Historically, car rental operators sought exclusivity with airlines and travel platforms to secure volume and visibility. However, this often came at a high cost, both financially and in terms of operational constraints.
“Exclusivity can sometimes limit customer choice and push operators into suboptimal business decisions,” Taride explained. “Today, partnerships that prioritize mutual benefits and customer-centric solutions are the way forward.”
McGearty agreed, adding that the focus should now be on building ecosystems that foster collaboration rather than competition. “You can’t be friends one day and competitors the next – it doesn’t work long-term,” he said. “Instead, companies need to adopt a vision of partnership that aligns with customer expectations and long-term sustainability.”
The new mobility mindset
One of the podcast’s most fascinating insights was the predicted decline in private car ownership, especially among younger generations. As urbanization and environmental concerns grow, consumers are increasingly turning to shared mobility solutions, from car rentals and ride-hailing to peer-to-peer car sharing.
“Asset ownership is reducing globally,” McGearty observed. “Car rental companies are uniquely positioned to meet this demand by offering flexible services that cater to different needs – whether it’s a vehicle for an hour, a weekend, or a family vacation.”
Taride added that car rental companies must embrace this shift by innovating their offerings and adopting a long-term vision. “The industry is in a position of strength, but it needs to take a 20-year view to stay ahead of disruption,” he said.
The road ahead: Predictions for mobility’s future
As the episode concluded, both leaders shared bold predictions for the future of mobility and travel tech:
- Michel Taride: “AI and blockchain will be the catalysts for change. AI will personalize journeys, while blockchain will streamline data across the fragmented travel ecosystem. We’ll also see significant growth in new mobility models like car sharing and autonomous vehicles.”
- Mike McGearty: “Car rental companies have a massive opportunity to lead the shift away from private ownership. By innovating their product offerings and leveraging their existing locations, they can serve the evolving needs of customers, whether it’s convenience, flexibility, or sustainability.”
Traveller first: “Show me a world I’ve never seen before”
Throughout the discussion, a central theme emerged: putting the customer at the heart of every decision. Whether through loyalty programs, seamless technology, or better partnerships, the future of mobility and travel lies in prioritizing customer needs.
“Travellers today demand more choice, less friction, and greater personalization,” McGearty said. “If we focus on delivering that, everyone wins – the customer, the service provider, and the industry as a whole.”
As the mobility industry accelerates toward a more tech-driven, customer-focused future, the insights shared by Taride and McGearty offer a valuable roadmap for navigating the twists and turns ahead. Whether it’s through AI-powered personalization, blockchain-enabled efficiency, or the reinvention of legacy business models, the next decade promises to reshape how we move and explore the world.
And, as Tarid so poetically put it, the ultimate goal is simple: “Let me discover hidden gems, take me off the beaten track, and show me a world I’ve never seen before.”
