Lyft Pays $197 Million to Pick Up German Taxi App FreeNow

Lyft is expanding into Europe with its $197 million purchase of taxi app FreeNow.The deal, announced Wednesday (April 16), will see Lyft acquire the Germany-based company from BMW and Mercedes-Benz Mobility. It also marks the ride-hailing service’s largest expansion outside of North America.“We’re on an ambitious path to build the best, most customer-obsessed mobility platform in the world, and entering Europe is an important step in our growth journey,” Lyft CEO David Risher said in a news release.“We foun ...