Carly’s car subscription comes to Sydney
Customers can now get cars via a subscription service, with more cities to come.
Car subscription service Carly has launched in Sydney, becoming the first flexible vehicle subscription available in Australia and a potential challenger to traditional car ownership.
A subsidiary of Collaborate Corp, that also operates car-sharing service DriveMyCar, Carly lets customers rent a car from a range of models, and then change vehicles as they wish. The service removes some of the hassle of buying a car, including finding and inspecting a vehicle, negotiating a price, as well as organising finance. The entire process can also be done online.
Once subscribed, the user chooses their first vehicle, which is delivered to their door. They can then continue to rent the car with no long-term lock-in contracts, or swap it for another model each month. The service aims to give customers the flexibility of different vehicles to suit their changing lifestyle and needs.
Monthly subscriptions start at $119 per week, which includes insurance, registration and maintenance, although weekly costs will increase depending on the model of car that is used. Customers are also free to end or pause their subscription at any time.
Chris Noone, CEO of Collaborate, says the service offers the benefits of car ownership with less obligation and more flexibility. "Carly is fully online and we deliver the car to you. You can join today and drive tomorrow. A car loan or lease locks you into a car for about three years, but who can expect their life and car needs to stay the same for three years? You'll likely change jobs, go on an extended holiday, need extra cash or start a family," he said.
"Carly lets you change your car to suit your life when you want, not when the bank tells you. If you like the idea of being able to start, change or pause your car subscription as your lifestyle changes and don't want to be tied into a long-term car loan or lease, then Carly is a far better solution than ownership or leasing."
New car sales have also declined in Australia in 2019, suggesting drivers may be considering alternatives to traditional car ownership. With bank lending also tightening following the royal commission, it may be harder to get approved for a car loan, potentially making car sharing and car subscription services a more attractive option.
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