New on-demand subscription service offers access to a range of cars for one monthly fee
The general consensus within the automotive industry seems to be that increased automation of vehicles will not only lead to fewer drivers of cars, but fewer owners of them too. The theory being that despite a vehicle ranking amongst the most expensive purchases a person will ever make, it largely sits unused. Finding a place to park it is a hassle, insurance can be costly, and maintenance burdensome; all for something the average owner likely spends no more than a few hours a week using.
As cars become autonomous though, users will be able to simply summon one when needed. It'll take you where you want to go and then pop off to collect its next passenger once you're there. Like Uber, without having to make small talk with the driver.
That's all still a long way off of course, but today Porsche has taken us a step closer to it becoming a reality with its new Porsche Passport programme. In a similar vein to Cadillac's Book service, Passport gives subscribers flexible access to a range of Porsche models to better fit their changing needs. Fancy a day trip to the countryside? Take a 718 Boxster. Need to pick up some friends from the airport? A Cayenne ought to do the trick. You get the picture.
There are two tiers of membership, dubbed 'Launch' and 'Accelerate'. For a monthly fee of $2,000, Launch includes on-demand access to eight model variants including the 718 Boxster and Cayman S, as well as the Macan S and Cayenne. Accelerate, meanwhile, includes that lot plus a further 14 variants such as the 911 Carrera S, Panamera 4S, Macan GTS and Cayenne S E-Hybrid. It costs $3,000 a month.
That may seem like a lot, but the price includes unrestricted mileage, tax and registration, insurance, maintenance and vehicle detailing. And access to a lot of very good cars too. The pilot program is up and running in Atlanta, with prospective members able to sign up now via the Porsche Passport app, and car deliveries beginning in November. Once fully underway, users will be able to schedule same day or future vehicle exchanges through the same app, with cars collected from, and dropped at, a location of their choice by a white-glove delivery service.
So, is it something you'd be interested in using were it to come to the UK? Is there another manufacturer you'd prefer to see offer a similar service? Or will you only ever use a car you've bought from the classifieds with cold, hard cash? As always, let us know what you think in the comments section below!
