Stripe helps Toyota streamline auto repairs

In today’s connected economy, Toyota is working with payments company Stripe on a program that allows auto repair shops to trade in used equipment and tools, electric vehicle subscription company Autonomy is seeking to expand nationally with help from AutoNation and Walmart teams with contact lens maker Waldo in its latest healthcare venture.

Toyota uses Stripe to help auto repair shops

Toyota is working with Stripe on Mechacomi, a program designed to simplify repairs for auto shops while reducing their carbon footprint.

“The challenge for the auto industry and the many local mechanics that support it is that it is much more complicated to maintain a car than it used to be,” the payment company said in a press release.

“The computerization of vehicles, along with the shift from internal combustion engines to hybrid or all-electric engines, has greatly expanded the range of repairs that mechanics need to be able to perform.”

Electric vehicle subscription company’s autonomy extends with AutoNation

In an effort to expand across the country, electric vehicle (EV) subscription provider Autonomy has launched a partnership with auto retailer AutoNation.

“The partnership will support Autonomy’s electric vehicle product expansion from the Tesla Model 3 to multiple automaker brands as well as geographic expansion across the United States, leveraging AutoNation’s nationwide footprint.” , the companies said in a press release.

The partnership will also allow AutoNation to support Autonomy’s plans to acquire up to 20,000 electric vehicles from automakers with the most popular electric vehicles.

Walmart teams up with Waldo on affordable contact lens offering

Walmart is partnering with eye care brand Waldo to bring affordable contact lenses fortified with essential vitamins “to help refresh and rejuvenate eyes.”

“We are thrilled to partner with Walmart to expand access to affordable eye care options across the country,” said Ashleigh Hinde, Founder and CEO of Waldo. “Partnering with Walmart allows us to grow our community and encourage a much broader conversation about the importance of eye health and the need for accessible eye care options.”

Walmart has more than 3,000 vision centers across the country. The partnership follows news last week that Amazon had acquired primary care company One Medical.

Ripple partners with FOMO Pay to improve cash management

Singapore-based payment solutions company FOMO Pay is working with Ripple to use Ripple’s cryptocurrency-based technology for better cross-border cash flow.

“On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) leverages XRP, the digital asset designed for payments as a bridge between two fiat currencies, enabling instant and low-cost settlement without the need to hold pre-funded capital in a destination market,” said Ripple in a press release.

ODL has primarily been used for cross-border payments to help payment service providers and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) manage trapped capital that could be put to better use in helping these businesses grow.

Plaid launches beta payment tool to speed up checkout

Plaid has announced the beta launch of a tool designed to improve Variable Recurring Payments (VRP) for consumers and businesses in the UK

VRP debuted in 2021 and offers users the ability to authenticate once, which means future automated payments can take place without additional verification.

For example, Plaid says payment super app Expensify used VRP to streamline how it handles money for expenses, company cards, and bills.