A self-service car subscription startup recently expanded to Charlotte with a mission of disrupting the market.
Boston-based Flexcar launched in 2021 to provide an alternative to buying or leasing a car. The startup’s CEO, Vikram Singh, said Flexcar was created after several stories he heard of people facing challenges with financing or leasing vehicles.
“Friends, family and colleagues would tell us about how they felt trapped with their car, and wanted an easier way to access a car without having to own it,” he said.
Singh said he also credits the start of Flexcar to customers' fondness of other subscription companies. The founding team reflected on how consumers enjoy subscriptions to services such as Spotify, Netflix, Disney+ and Rent the Runway. Similar to Flexcar, these subscription platforms serve as an alternative to buying a song, movie or clothes for temporary use.
The Charlotte location opened at 8525 South Blvd. earlier this month. The space serves as both an office for Flexcar's 10 employees and a lot for its vehicles. Singh said the Charlotte office has room for 40 employees, and he expects to fill those positions over the next year.
He said Flexcar planned to enter the Charlotte market over the last year, but he was waiting to find the “perfect” location — "one where it would be easy for Charlotte residents to pick up their Flexcars, and also one where our new Charlotte employees would love coming to work.”
Charlotte was a key expansion area for the startup because of how fast the city is growing, Singh said. He is confident it will expand in the area quickly.
Customers access Flexcar's service through its app or website. They choose their car, and when and where they’d like to pick up the vehicle. Once drivers pick up the vehicle, they can use it for as long as they need by paying for the car weekly, in addition to mileage fees. The service starts at as low as $70 per week, plus 40 cents per mile driven.
Customers can return the car or swap it for a different vehicle at any time. Insurance, maintenance and roadside assistance is included.
“At Flexcar, we see ourselves as being complementary to the existing car-rental market,” Singh said. “Our company lets people enjoy all the benefits of having a car, without needing to sign long-term contracts, spend time and money on maintenance and figure out what to do with your car if you’re traveling for a few weeks or months of the year.”
In addition to Charlotte and Boston, Flexcar is available in Atlanta and Nashville, Tennessee.
