SUMMARY
With this, the company aims to become an all-encompassing hub for automotive solutions, ensuring unmatched convenience and comfort for car owners
According to cofounder and CEO Vikram Chopra, users will be able to book drivers for more than 24 hours as well
During the initial period, the feature will be accessible in Gurugram, and will go live gradually in other cities as well
Delhi NCR-based used car marketplace Cars24 has rolled out its new service Autopilot, which will now allow car owners to hire drivers on-demand on an hourly basis.
With this, the company aims to become an all-encompassing hub for automotive solutions, ensuring unmatched convenience and comfort for car owners, it said in a statement.
The development was first reported by Inc42, earlier this month.
Cars24 further said that Autopilot is designed to analyse the customer behaviour and preferences to craft a personalised solution.
Vikram Chopra, cofounder and CEO, Cars24, said, “We recognise that for many, the act of driving has shifted from a pleasure to a mere necessity. This is why we are launching Autopilot, not just as another service, but as a refreshing alternative. It’s about delivering ‘smiles per mile’. For us, it means enhancing their journeys, ensuring they’re imbued with the distinct Cars24 touch.”
Autopilot will be accessible on the Cars24 app. Through this feature, users will be able to summon a professional driver to their location within minutes, charging INR 149 per hour. During the initial period, the feature will be accessible in Gurugram, and will go live gradually in other cities as well.
According to Chopra, users will be able to book drivers for more than 24 hours as well.
Founded in 2015 by Chopra, Gajendra Jangid, Ruchit Agarwal, and Mehul Agrawal, Cars24 offers a platform for buying and selling used cars. In addition, the unicorn also earns from car delivery charges, parking fees, and other car-related services. Currently, the company is operational in India, Australia, Thailand, and the UAE.
However, last year, the company shut down its operations in Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, as it looks to focus on core markets such as India and Australia.
For FY23, CARS24 reported that its sales inched closer to $1 Bn mark with its consolidated operating revenue jumping 16% to $930.3 Mn from $799 Mn in FY22. Also, the unicorn’s net loss declined 32% to $168.3 Mn in FY23 from $248 Mn in the previous fiscal year.
