Collaborate, the ASX-listed company behind peer-to-peer car rental platform DriveMyCar, has officially launched its subscription service Carly in Sydney.

Carly provides an alternative to saving for a deposit, leasing, or borrowing money to buy a car. The subscription gives customers access to a range of new and used vehicles from economy to luxury and hatchback to SUV. The monthly subscription fee includes comprehensive insurance, registration, maintenance, and roadside assistance.

Subscribers can start, pause, and restart their subscription and ‘switch’ cars as their needs change. This could be a short term switch to a vehicle more suitable for a holiday, a longer term switch to cater for increasing family size, or pausing a subscription due to an extended holiday. Carly delivers the car directly to the subscriber’s location at a time that is convenient for them at the commencement of the subscription and whenever the car is switched.

Jude Camilleri, Fleet Administrator at JC Motors said in a statement that he has seen a noticeable change in the way people were using cars.

“We’re seeing a decline in consumer demand for ‘every day’ car use,"  he said. "With the rise of high-density living and improving public transport options, the need to own a vehicle outright or to commit to a long term lease is becoming less attractive than it was only recently. We know new car sales are dropping and dealers are looking to alternate sources of revenue. I’m interested in how Carly can provide a new revenue stream for my business and help get more customers on the road in a way that suits their needs.”

Paul Morris, Collaborate's strategic advisor said in a statement that subscription adds an additional revenue stream for dealers: new vehicles sales, used vehicle sales, service, parts, finance and insurance, and subscription.

Carly will initially draw upon the fleet of vehicles provided by automotive manufacturers, leasing companies, and automotive dealers to the DriveMyCar marketplace. DriveMyCar has previously announced supply agreements with Subaru, Peugeot, Interleasing, Orix, Custom Fleet, and a range of automotive dealers including LSH and Cricks Tweed.  

Beyond this initial launch in Sydney, Carly is engaged with major car manufacturers, dealership groups, and financiers to define the ideal subscription proposition for Australia that meets the evolving needs of the motor vehicle retailing industry and consumers.