Chip crisis: demand for car subscriptions increases sharply - Autogazette.de

Car subscriptions are becoming increasingly popular. During the chip crisis, some customers also use the offer to bridge the waiting time until they get a new car.

The corona crisis and the shortage of chips still have the auto industry firmly in its grip. Buyers of new cars therefore often have to reckon with long waiting times. A car subscription is an interim solution. For a fixed monthly price, users receive a new car or a young used vehicle including registration, taxes, insurance and maintenance. Sometimes even the tire change is included in the price. Only the tank or loading costs then apply.

A model that is popular. According to its own statements, the meta search engine GoLeasy recorded 56 percent more clicks on temporary subscription use in the fourth quarter of 2021 than in the previous quarter. The range of car subscriptions is therefore also continuously increasing. In the 4th quarter of 2021, the number of new car subscription offers on GoLeasy increased by 37 percent compared to the 3rd quarter of 2021. The Center Automotive Research (CAR) predicts that the number of car subscriptions in Germany will increase by 2030 will grow to one million contracts.

Terms shorter than with conventional leasing

According to experts, it will be some time before all models and equipment that are affected by the semiconductor shortage are available again. With the use of car subscriptions, these supply problems can be easily bridged, because the vehicles are usually available - and the contract terms are shorter than with conventional leasing.

"Of course we can't say exactly how many inquiries are due to the lack of chips, but we've observed that the demand for temporary subscription use has skyrocketed," says GoLeasy Managing Director Julian Melzig. Car subscriptions also offer the opportunity to try out alternative drives before placing a final order.

GoLeasy bundles the offers of numerous car subscription platforms on one website. The search engine shows what a subscription to a vehicle costs per month and, according to its own statements, allows a quick and transparent price comparison for the desired vehicle throughout Germany. This saves a lot of time when searching for the best offer.