Selfdrive, a UAE-based online car rental firm, has revealed its plan to expand its geographical footprint by launching in Qatar and Bahrain, following the app’s growing popularity and success that will now cater to the needs of individual customers, business executives, visitors and corporates.
The company aims to acquire 50 percent to 65 percent of the digital rental market share in these regions with a seamless customer experience and a range of product offerings through the app. Selfdrive offers about $26.53 flat discount to its customers on their first booking as part of the launch offer.
The on-demand mobility is rapidly growing in the region and users aged between 25 and 45 prefer to rent vehicles through mobile apps.
Selfdrive with its proprietary technology offers customers a variety of vehicle selections directly from dealerships based on customer requirements with a seamless user experience.
Using the app’s easy and convenient process of ‘Search-Select-Pay’ ethos, Selfdrive customers in the region including Qatar and Bahrain now have access to over 5,000 vehicles available for rentals starting from 1 day to 36 months delivered to their doorstep.
The longest available lease period is up to 36 months, while subscription (micro lease) and LeasePro (lease to own) features are also available. When customers subscribe or lease through app, they have a full view of the installments which helps in finding a car that best fits their financial requirements, with the option to drive a brand new car.
Soham Shah CEO & Co-Founder Selfdrive
“Our expansion into Bahrain and Qatar is testament to our growing popularity and success, and an indicator of the changing landscape of the automotive rental market in the region and beyond. We plan to add further new markets in the Middle East and are actively looking at other regions globally as business goes from strength to strength. We offer unique access to dealer fleet across the region that a typical car rental would not. The app would provide a service that has eased several pain points that customers experience during the process of renting a vehicle, and as we continue to grow, we keep a sharp focus on providing a seamless experience for our customers.”
When it comes to user experience, Selfdrive employs powerful Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to customize the experience of every user depending on their preference of vehicle. This means customers do not have to wade through a list of cars that do not match their interests or requirements and are immediately directed to the kind of automobiles that fulfill their needs. Brands currently on offer include Nissan, Infiniti, Renault, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Geely, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Kia among others.
Selfdrive has plans to expand features in the app, with new functionalities on the cards for 2022. Customers would soon be able to trace the entire journey from the time they book the vehicle to the time it’s delivered. In essence, they will have access to a real-time status update of their vehicle at any given moment right from the app.
Following expansion into Bahrain and Qatar, Selfdrive is now looking at Saudi and Kuwait markets. Further plans are proceeding to venture westward into the UK, Europe and the United States by the third and the fourth quarter of 2022.
