During our recent conversation, we had the pleasure of speaking with Simon Chan, a seasoned member of the Drive mate community who currently has almost 13 cars listed on our platform. Simon's experience and insights into car sharing proved to be both informative and enlightening.
When we asked Simon about his motivations for listing his cars on Drive mate, he explained that he has been car sharing since 2019 and was initially attracted to the idea of making passive income from his underutilized vehicles. By listing his cars on car-sharing platforms such as Drive mate, Simon has been able to earn additional income. As a full-time carshare host, he can afford more flexibility in his working hours and personal time to spend with his family.
Let us see what Simon has to say about his experience with Drive mate so far.
How long have you been hosting your car on our platform?
I am relatively new to the Drive mate community. Although I am familiar with other car-sharing platforms and have been on them for a while, I heard about Drive mate last year and joined your platform in May 2022. So it has been a year so far. 🙂
How many cars have you listed on our platform till date?
I have 13 cars listed on Drive mate until now.
Prior to using our platform, have you hosted your car on any other car-sharing website?
Yes, prior to using Drive mate, I had listed my car on one other car sharing website - Uber Carshare (previously Car Next Door).
Okay. So what was your experience?
Drive Mate is a new platform in Australia compared to other competitors and still adapting to the market. I really appreciate their attitude and willingness to improve, listen, and respect hosts.
In addition to listing my cars on Uber Carshare, I joined Drive mate since my bookings were dropping there. The latest Uber Car Share app also has lots of bugs and issues.
Also Read: Marc Von Romburg tells us about his hosting experience with Drive mate
What do you like about us compared to any other car sharing business in Australia?
There are few things.
What I particularly appreciate about Drive mate is their eagerness to constantly improve and evolve their platform to better serve their hosts and renters. The Drive mate team is always open to feedback and suggestions.
Another aspect that sets Drive mate apart from other car-sharing businesses is their commitment to building and maintaining strong relationships with their hosts. They understand that hosts are the backbone of their platform, and they go above and beyond to ensure that hosts feel supported and valued.
Overall, what I like about Drive mate compared to other car-sharing businesses in Australia is their innovative Key Exchange Technology, their constant drive to improve and evolve their platform, and their genuine commitment to building strong relationships with their hosts.
What is the kind of revenue you are able to earn with Drive mate?
Since I started listing my car on Drive mate less than a year ago, my revenue has been somewhat inconsistent and hasn't yet become a stable source of income for me.
However, I'm optimistic about the potential for increased revenue in the future. I believe that listing my car on Drive mate has the potential to be a valuable source of income.
In the future, I would love to list my fleet exclusively and grow my business together with Drive Mate once they have established themselves in the Australian Market and bookings with my fleet are at a level where I no longer need to rely on other platforms.
If there is one thing we need to improve, what would that be?
When it comes to improving Drive mate, there are definitely several areas that come to mind, but if we had to pick just one, it would be a continued focus on enhancing your app and increasing your marketing efforts to reach the right audience.
What is the one piece of advice you would give to car owners about car sharing?
If you're a car owner considering car sharing, my advice would be to start by clearly defining your goals for the venture.
Car sharing is a kind of business quite new and mostly unheard of. I believe there are plenty of opportunities for new hosts to join and room to grow. A new host needs to understand that listing your car on a car share platform doesn't generate risk-free passive income for you. It is a business which requires work and effort.
As a car owner sharing your vehicle, you'll need to be prepared to communicate with potential renters, keep your car clean and well-maintained, and potentially take on some risks associated with letting others use your car. But with the right mindset and some basic precautions, car sharing can be a rewarding experience that benefits both you and your renters.
What is your take on the environment and car sharing?
I'm really passionate about the environment, and I believe that car sharing is a fantastic way to help reduce our impact on the planet while still enjoying the benefits of car ownership.
With so many cars sitting idle for much of the day, car sharing allows us to make better use of these underused vehicles, without constantly producing new cars that require more resources to build and maintain. Plus, by disrupting the traditional car rental industry, car sharing can create new economic opportunities for individuals, families, and local businesses.
In countries like Australia, where car dependency is high, car sharing can provide a more affordable and sustainable mobility option, while also reducing congestion and emissions on our roads. So, in my opinion, car sharing is a brilliant idea that has the potential to make a real difference for the environment and our communities.
Why should guests rent your car from Drive mate?
As a full-time and dedicated host, I'm always available to respond quickly to any questions or issues you might have during your rental period. Whether you need help with directions, recommendations for local attractions, or just have a general inquiry.
My cars are also centrally located and close to public transport. I'm here to make sure your experience with car sharing is as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
Conclusion
Listing 13 cars on Drive Mate has been a positive experience for Simon so far. Not only has he been able to make some extra income by sharing his underused vehicles with responsible and trustworthy renters, but he has also been able to contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly form of transportation.
Simon is excited about the potential for growth and success in this car-sharing business and looks forward to continuing to work with Drive Mate to provide top-notch rental experiences for his guests. If you're a car owner looking for a way to make some extra cash, or a renter in need of a reliable and convenient vehicle, list your car on Drive mate.
Together, we can make the most of our cars and our communities, and create a better future for everyone.
Also read - Behind the Wheel with Ami: Drive mate's Exceptional Host Reveals Insider Tips!
