Original date of publication: September 8, 2020
Kemwel - Many dream of having constant access to reliable transportation without needing to actually own a vehicle. After all, owning a car is a huge expenditure, especially in the United States where the average monthly payment in 2019 surpassed US$9,200 a year, US$770 a month, according to AAA. Needless to say that subscription-based models have always been appealing to U.S. consumers
Although companies such as Mercedes and GM have previously attempted to provide such in-demand services, our car rental partner and German powerhouse Sixt recently revealed its very own personalized subscription platform. Compared to past attempts, Sixt has specifically designed the initiative around consumer needs in times of COVID-19.
“During this pandemic, you’re either sitting at home with less of a need to travel, or you need wheels and a much more flexible solution,” said President of Sixt USA, Sebastian Birkel. Ultimately, his goal is to “provide more and more Americans with unlimited mobility.”
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How does Sixt+ work?
Customers can now book everything from luxury cars to van rentals over the desktop platform as easily as using iTunes or Spotify. Rathering than needing to finance a car, customers can sign-up for Sixt+ and pay a monthly fee as the company continues to develop an app. Factors ranging from vehicle model, mileage allowance and insurance will determine the cost tailored to a person’s needs.
On one side of the equation, this “no-strings attached” service will permit customers to return vehicles on a monthly basis without even needing to pay a deposit or penalty fees. All the while, customers also have the liberty to purchase vehicles through Sixt Car Sales. This way, Sixt will reportedly deduct a monthly Sixt+ fee from the sales price.
According to reports, plans can begin at US$459 a month for compact vehicles such as a Kia Rio. As you go higher on the car rental foodchain to SUV models, prices can average around US$979 a month.
Sixt operations in the USA
Due to such flexibility, unlimited mobility in the U.S. market is what Sixt wants to achieve with its new initiative. So far in its U.S. expansion, Sixt has launched operations in 30 locations throughout the country, including recent airport acquisitions this past July at the following locations, including in-service desks:
- Boston - Logan Airport (BOS)
- New York - LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and John F. Keddy Airport (JFK)
- Newark - Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
- Houston - George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
- Denver - Denver International Airport (DEN)
- Las Vegas - McCarran International Airport (LAS)
- Orlando - Orlando International Airport (MCO)
- Maui - Kahului International Airport (OGG)
- Honolulu - Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)
The no-strings service, which Sixt claims is as easy to use as music streaming, will permit customers to return their cars on a monthly basis without penalty. In the process, the plan is to provide flexibility without enforcing any long-term commitments in terms of purchasing. However, if a customer decides to subsequently buy a car through Sixt Car Sales, the company will deduct a month’s Sixt+ fee from the original purchasing price.