Sydney car dealer makes electric cars available on subscription

The Hyundai Kona Electric and Hyundai Ioniq are just some examples of electric cars that Sydney drivers can now be booked under a subscription model from Northern Beaches auto dealer Col Crawford.

The Sydney auto dealer – which made news in early 2019 when it took an EV-focused advertisement in one of Sydney’s leading newspapers – is the latest to join up to vehicle subscription platform Blinker.

As we reported last Thursday, the platform allows dealers to make vehicles available to drivers as a package deal that typically includes servicing, maintenance and registration. For electric vehicles it can – depending on the provider – also include free charging.

Col Crawford, which has (what is for Australia) a wide selection of electric vehicles in its showrooms, has recognised the need to stay ahead of the flagging Australian auto market (which has seen a 23-month decline in petrol and diesel sales) on two counts with its stocking of electric cars, and the option of a subscription service.

“As a business, we aim to be at the cusp of industry innovations and our partnership with Blinker is just another example of this,” said Col Crawford GM Harrison Crawford in a note by email.

“We’re already seeing car subscriptions gaining popularity both in Australia and around the world, and expect the subscription market to rapidly become a significant part of the automotive industry moving forward.

“The car market is currently experiencing a disruptive period, we see car subscription as an opportunity to innovate and cater to shifting consumer demands, helping the industry to thrive into the future.”

Offering electric cars under a subscription service gives drivers a “best of both worlds” opportunity to try out what it’s like to drive an electric car without the high upfront cost.

“The rise of electric vehicles has been evident around the world over the past 12 months – in Australia alone we’ve seen sales almost double year on year and over half of all new car sales around the globe are set to be fully electric by 2030,” said Blinker managing director Michael Higgins in a note by email.

“We’re also expecting electric cars to grow to become the most in-demand vehicle category for subscription, so it’s exciting to collaborate with a business that is looking ahead and gearing up for the age of electric mobility,” he said.

Asked what electric car models would be available through Col Crawford, Higgins replied to The Driven by email that, “Essentially it just comes down to what is available rather than how many would be “assigned” to subscription. There are several electric cars available at Col Crawford dealerships depending on which are out on finance.”

First available EVs would include Hyundai’s two electric models, the Kona and the Ioniq, Higgins tells The Driven – followed by the new kid on the block from Chinese-owned MG.

“Certain EV and hybrid models are available right now like the Hyundai Ioniq and Kona Electric. The MG ZS EV will also be available once that arrives in Australia,” he says.

Interested drivers can book straight away in person at any Col Crawford dealership right now, and in the coming weeks through an online booking service dubbed Syd Car Solutions.

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