Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Startup company reimagines the car shopping experience
GO rolls out car subscription operations in four markets
ARDMORE » There is a new option available in the Greater Philadelphia region for people in the market for a new vehicle — but don’t want to pursue a lease or traditional purchase.
GO is a car subscription startup launched in 2020 and headquartered at Suburban Square in Ardmore. GO is the first company to offer a car subscription service geared specifically toward daily drivers. Previous subscriptions focused on swapping vehicles and short-term use.
The company has begun rolling out its service throughout the Greater Philadelphia region — one of four markets GO is serving. The subscription service is also available in New Jersey, Delaware and Florida — with plans for a wider expansion later this year as the company adds
to its fleet.
According to Michael Beauchamp, founder and CEO of GO, the company was created to “transform and simplify” the experience of getting a car.
“Through technology, innovation and efficiency, GO brings customers a seamless experience and lower prices,” Beauchamp said.
What IS a car subscription?
A car subscription is not a purchase and it’s not a lease. GO’s model offers subscribers a “simple and affordable” alternative to those other methods, the company said.
“It’s cheaper and easier than any other method of obtaining a car,” Beauchamp said in an emailed response.
GO is best for shoppers looking to get a better car for their budget through a simple, online experience, according to Beauchamp.
“It is not for those looking to frequently swap cars, short-term use, want to keep it until the wheels fall off, or need to drive more than 20,000 miles per year,” he said.
Customers in available markets can order their car online in around four minutes and save up to 25% per month. There’s no down payment, and the process is handled virtually. In most cases, cars are delivered to the customer’s home at no charge.
“A GO subscription is almost always an affordable alternative to traditional ownership,” he said.
Subscribers swap their cars every three years. It is possible to swap out cars earlier, if circumstances change, according to the GO website. Subscribers that need to swap out early will pay a $450 restocking fee, and a $1,500 vehicle activation payment — normally waived for first-time customers and again every three years — on the next vehicle subscription.
Because it is a subscription, the car is not registered or titled in the customer’s name. In addition, customers will not use their auto insurance.
“To ensure our customers and fleet of vehicles are properly covered, customers are added to our fleet policy through a top-tier insurance carrier. Their price is based on a few individual factors. Most customers save 5-10% compared to their personal auto policy,” Beauchamp explained.
How does the process work?
Customers visit the GO website,
enter their zip code and then select their model — sedans, SUVs, crossovers, pickups and minivans; colors and mileage option (833, 1,000 or 1,250 miles per month). The price will vary based on the miles selected.
To apply, customers will provide their driver’s license and other information. GO will then run a soft credit check and driving record evaluation. The company said the soft credit check will not impact a customer’s credit score.
To be eligible, customers must have a minimum credit score of
700, a generally clean driving record and must be at least 25 years old.
When a customer looks at vehicles available in their area, a monthly price will be shown. The initial price shown will reflect the costs of the vehicle per month.
Because insurance is priced based on individual factors, Beauchamp said, it is in addition to the payment listed at the top of each vehicle details page.
“As the customer goes through the application and checkout process, they are provided accurate pricing for the car, insurance and tax. This also allows customers a better ‘apples to apples’ comparison to what they have been paying for a car,” he said.
Delivery of GO vehicles is free within 50 miles of Philadelphia Airport. Beauchamp said the company has partnered with Acertus — which has operations in each of GO’s markets — to handle vehicle storage and delivery.
Does a car subscription service appeal to customers?
Beauchamp said there has been “tons” of interest in GO’s subscription service, and demand for vehicles is currently exceeding supply. He added that like other auto dealers, GO’s inventory “is driven by the global chip shortage.”
“Supply is limited for everyone at the moment, but we have many more vehicles that start arriving in January,” Beauchamp said, adding that people are joining GO’s waitlist.
To learn more about GO, visit https://www.drivego.com