Following the rise of car share schemes, Ford is making it possible for owners to gain an extra income from their cars by renting them out to other drivers.
Ford Motor Credit Company has announced a new car share pilot scheme that will help thousands of UK Ford owners to make their cars available for other motorists to hire. 12,000 customers in London have been invited to join the peer-to-peer car share scheme that gives owners a handy source of income and renters a convenient transport option.
With many younger Brits shying away from car ownership, Ford is expecting this scheme to appeal particularly to Millennials – those born between 1980 and the mid 1990s – who are open to the concept of paying for a car as and when needed. Helping to make this possible, Ford Credit is working alongside car rental marketplace easyCar Club in the capital. It is also launching similar schemes in six cities in the USA.
Realistically, most vehicles are parked and out of use much of the time. This pilot will help us gauge our customers’ desire to pick up extra cash and keep their vehicles in use.
Those after a car can search for a vehicle nearby and then book online. The keys can subsequently be collected from the owner themselves or from a safe that members are given access to, with them returning the car to the same location when their rental is over.
“There is consumer interest in sharing the cost of vehicle ownership, and this programme will help us understand to what extent that interest extends to customers who are financing a Ford vehicle,” said David McClelland, vice president, Marketing, Ford Credit.
“Realistically, most vehicles are parked and out of use much of the time. This pilot will help us gauge our customers’ desire to pick up extra cash and keep their vehicles in use.”
Picture: Ford
