Machiavellian! I don't know about the assets (might be leased + due to creditors), but the talent is certainly now on the market for the taking.
Car manufacturers won't do that kind of stuff purely for the reason that if they want the talent/company they would just buy it at market price. They also don't have the time and risk appetite for such maneuvers. Most likely the car manufacturer just got intertwined in their own decision making, then accidentally running over the little startup.
Maybe that "major car company" deliberately ran out the clock on them with the goal of purchasing the fraction of Bridj assets that they actually wanted at fire-sale prices, while avoiding purchasing the assets they didn't want.