Why own just one car when you can own a rotating fleet of them for a monthly fee? That’s the logic behind car subscriptions. For one monthly payment, they give subscribers access to a selection of cars, insured and under warranty.
Volkswagen is launching a new vehicle subscription service, starting with two dealerships in the Atlanta, Georgia, metro area.
Related – Should You Pay for a Car Subscription?
“This all-new, month-to-month subscription service for select Volkswagen models bundles maintenance, insurance, and 24/7 roadside assistance into a single monthly payment, offering consumers a flexible and convenient mobility option,” the company says.
Pick One of Five Cars Each Month
Called VW Flex, it gives subscribers access to five cars – the Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan, Golf GTI, and Jetta. In a move unusual for a subscription service, your monthly payment will change based on which car you reserve for that month.
Industry publication Automotive News explains, “For the Jetta, a subscription starts at $599 per month, which includes 1,000 miles of usage. An Atlas starts at $799 per month. A VW spokesperson said there are options for increased mileage per month for an additional charge.”
For now, only Jim Ellis Volkswagen of Chamblee in Atlanta and Jim Ellis Volkswagen of Kennesaw are participating. The program could expand to other dealerships over time.
“Through the entirely digital application process, prospective VW Flex members will enjoy an easy path which can be completed on a desktop or mobile device; no app needed. And because VW Flex is not a vehicle financing or lease offering, the application process is simpler,” the company says.
The company says the program “does not check your credit score or grant access based on creditworthiness.” Applicants commit to a minimum of 31 days.
Other Automakers Have Ended Similar Programs
Volkswagen’s move is surprising, as other companies have backed away from vehicle subscription services in recent years.
Audi and BMW exited the subscription business in 2021, and Volvo ended its subscription program just last month.
That left only Porsche operating a subscription program in the U.S. Porsche’s subscription, called Porsche Drive, is a different animal. It’s a high-end option, costing $1,800 per month for a single car or $4,000 monthly for access to most of the Porsche lineup.
It serves a few well-heeled customers in Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Texas. But those willing to pay four figures for the right to swap a summer 911 for a winter Cayenne are a special breed.
We’re not sure there’s a similar demand for the right to swap a summer Jetta for a winter Tiguan, but we salute Volkswagen for testing the concept.
