United Kingdom Car Subscription Market

Market Overview

The U.K. car subscription market size has witnessed significant growth in the past and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 32.1% during the forecast period (2022-2030).

A car subscription is a service in which a consumer agrees to pay a recurring fee to access a fleet of automobiles. While others allow subscribers to transfer vehicles at any time, others incorporate insurance and maintenance costs in the monthly fee. Experts in the auto business argue that subscription services can replace outright automobile purchases and leases. The subscription service preserves car ownership in contrast to traditional vehicle ownership. On the other hand, car rentals necessitate the upfront purchase of a vehicle for a limited period or a single journey.

Population growth, rapid urbanization, and industrialization are anticipated to promote the growth of the car subscription market during the forecasted period.

Market Dynamics

The U.K. Car Subscription Market Drivers

Convenience and Affordability

Subscription services for automobiles are becoming popular due to their convenience and affordability. The subscription model is attractive to consumers because it allows them to acquire vehicles at manageable monthly costs, which include insurance, maintenance, and roadside support. In addition, players in the market are working to improve the existing technology for better booking services and to make it available on various devices through a user-friendly platform interface.

As a result, millennials are drawn to the adaptability of car subscriptions since they provide a short-term, more affordable option to car-as-a-service. The advantages of car memberships over car leasing and car rental services will soon increase demand for car memberships.

The U.K. Car Subscription Market Restraint

Inadequate Transportation Facilities

Some developing nations are having trouble putting together functional infrastructure. Auto subscription service providers may be unable to enter a market due to a lack of public transportation and infrastructure caused by adverse economic and fiscal policies. Increased government spending and programs to improve infrastructure are expected to help manufacturers overcome this limitation in the future.

The U.K. Car Subscription Market Opportunities

Strategic Partnerships with Automobile Manufacturers

Automobile subscription customers choose reputable, vetted providers for their automobiles. Additionally, manufacturers are launching their segment for automotive subscription services and building a partner network to reach untapped markets. To create long-term business prospects and establish a competitive edge, car subscription market participants must form a strategic alliance with providers to change customer attitudes regarding vehicle subscriptions when they accept the service from a certain vehicle brand.

Regional Analysis

Europe stands in second place globally and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 32.9% during the forecast period. Due to car subscription services and the outlook for shared mobility, the European car subscription market is projected to grow significantly. This market fills the gap between new on-demand ride-hailing services and traditional contracts or long-term leasing. In addition, industry participants in the European market for car subscriptions develop digitally advanced service platforms to leverage the market's long-term economic potential. In addition, Europe has the most significant market share for vehicle subscriptions worldwide and is a well-established market. Several enterprises are entering the market independently or in partnership with domestic firms to benefit from European business potential.

Due to the general consumer goods sector trend toward subscription services and the corresponding desires of generations Y and Z, an additional four million car subscriptions could be accessible in the EU-5 alone by 2030. When active contracts and used automobile subscriptions are also considered, this results in a market worth multiple billion dollars. The projected success of this new approach is dependent on shifting consumer tastes. The demand for flexible, usage-based models has replaced the desire for long-term contracts, and the need for mobility has replaced the desire to purchase a car.

Segmental Analysis

The U.K. car subscription market is segmented by Subscription Type, Subscription Period, Service Provider, and End-Use.

The car subscription market is divided based on the subscription type into single-brand and multi-brand segments.

The multi-brand market holds the major share of the market. It is expected to grow at a robust CAGR of 34% because it allows subscribers to switch between brands, increasing flexibility and convenience. Some consumers strongly prefer staying loyal to a single brand because they are satisfied with the consistency of that brand's products and services.

The car subscription market is segmented based on the subscription period into 1 to 6 months, 6 to 12 months, and more than 12 months. 

The 1 to 6 months subscription period holds the major share of the market and is anticipated to increase at a respectable CAGR of 32.7% during the predicted period. The demand for subscriptions of 1 to 6 months is driven by the employer category, who often rent the automobile during their vacations; this segment also maintains a sizeable portion of the market. Long-term subscribers leased vehicles for six months to a year or more.

The car subscription market is segmented based on the service provider into OEM/captives, mobility providers, and technology businesses.

Independent/third-party service providers are anticipated to rule the market with a CAGR of 30.5% during the forecast period. OEMs can use existing consumer segments and loyal brand advocates excited by getting the newest vehicle model through this subscription service, but they are limited in several ways. To accelerate OEM adoption, dealerships have been established to use the dealer channel’s benefits fully. Dealerships benefit from this circumstance because they can offer their inventory and draw on their expertise in selling pre-owned, traded-in, and leased-back vehicles.

The market for car subscriptions is divided into two categories based on end-users: private and corporate.

The corporate segment holds the major share of the market and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 29.8% during the forecast period. As automobile subscription rates increase in developed and developing economies, the private segment is expected to expand swiftly in the coming years. Moreover, newer generations prefer to lease automobiles over purchasing them outright. The category of corporate end-users is anticipated to increase consistently. In the corporate sector, car ownership is more prevalent than subscription.