Car-subscription app Carasti debuts in the UAE

A new player in the market has entered the car-subscription arena in Dubai, offering another option to UAE residents in the way they own, rent or lease a car. 

Carasti is an app that simplifies acquiring a car in the UAE. Available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, Carasti users can sign for free, upload documents and then subscribe monthly to any car from an ever-growing fleet of cars. The all-inclusive monthly fee includes service, insurance and registration costs, and the car is delivered to your doorstep for free.

The consumer does not need to deal with the various complexities of long-term commitments, large down payments or physical paperwork. And the car can be returned at the end of the month to be replaced by another car. The monthly rate varies by the make and model of the car, and there are discounts for committing to the same car over a longer period. The cars are provided by various independent and dealer-affiliated leasing agencies in the UAE.

“A Carasti subscription ultimately gives subscribers freedom, flexibility & peace of mind in one monthly fee covering your Car, Insurance, Maintenance and Roadside Assistance. All you have to do is add fuel and drive!” CEO, Claudio Esposito-Aiardo went on to say, “The process is simple. Select the car you want, upload your documents, select your delivery time-slot and location, and you’re done. No need to worry about deposits or paperwork – it really is as easy as ordering your favourite pizza on Deliveroo!”

Car ownership is on the global decline. Consulting firm McKinsey predicts that by 2030 almost 30% of the automotive industry’s revenue will come from subscriptions and other shared mobility recurring revenue models. The truth is that the modern-day consumer does not view car ownership as a symbol of success or a necessity anymore, but rather as a costly, depreciating burden.

“Flexibility is a big thing for us at Carasti. Our subscribers can easily switch their cars every month with the whole process managed directly in-app in just a matter of minutes. For example, you may only need a small car like a Nissan Kicks for your daily needs, however, next month you might have family visiting from back home and need to switch to something bigger, like an Infiniti QX50,” added Claudio. “I have always struggled with the concept of owning a car: I love driving and am passionate about cars, however, being limited to one car for a long period of time and realising the real cost of ownership, I knew there had to be a better way to have the car you want, when you want it, with no strings attached. From there, Carasti was born!”

There are a variety of cars available to subscribers on the Carasti App right now, such as the Kia Picanto for as little as AED 1,400 per month and the Toyota Prado for AED 4,000 per month. Carasti also offers the option to ‘Commit & Save’ by subscribing to the same car for 6-12 months at discounted rates.

The app is available to download for Android and iPhone users. More information can be found on www.carasti.com.