Carro Inaugurates Automall Point, Provides "Online-Offline" Experience in Buying and Selling Cars

In the first quarter of 2021, the platform car marketplaceCar claims to have managed to record total sales of used car units of over 100% compared to the fourth quarter of 2020. And the average used car sales are dominated by MPV and SUV types with automatic transmission with selling prices ranging from Rp. 100 million to Rp. 600 million.

According to Carro Co-founder Aditya Lesmana, one of the reasons why the sale of used cars is more in demand during the pandemic, amid economic pressures, people need vehicle options that are more economical, but still safe and of high quality. Therefore, it can be said that in terms of economic value, used cars are the best choice.

"Even so, many people are still hesitant to go from one dealer to another Dealer others because of safety and quality factors. This factor is one of Carro's strengths, because consumers can choose, view information, and even make payments or trade-ins online online, and the car of the consumer's choice will be sent directly to the intended address," said Aditya.

Carro has also cooperated with E-commerce Tokopedia and Blibli, which make it easier for consumers to buy quality used cars, as well as make trade-in quickly, with various types of payment options.

The year 2020 was a period full of challenges for many sectors, including the automotive industry. This is reflected in data released by the Association of Indonesian Automotive Industries (Gaikindo), car sales wholesalers down 48,35 percent in 2020 compared to 2019, while retail car sales fell 44,55 percent.

Meanwhile, according to the Financing Institution compiled by the Financial Services Authority (OJK), used car financing in January 2020 had touched Rp. 58,35 trillion, but the figure continued to fall to its lowest level in August 2020, which was Rp. 51,32 trillion.

Presenting Carro Automall Point

Throughout 2020, carried out several innovations and expansions. One of them is by presenting Carro Automall. Through Carro Automall, consumers can gain experience online-offline hybrid when buying a car.

Previously, one of their competitors Carsome has also launched Carsome Experience Center, to provide a similar experience.

"We see the growth of digital transactions so rapidly in Indonesia, on the other hand consumers also want to get direct experience from an outlet offline. Through the presence of Carro Automall Point, we increase synergies online-offline in the process of buying and selling used cars. So that in addition to the speed, and practicality obtained from the application of digital technology, online, consumers can also enjoy a direct experience from the store offline us," said Aditya.

With the launch of Carro Automall Point, it is also hoped that the company can reach a wider range of consumers who live outside Java. The traditional used car market also adds to the challenge of getting quality used cars. This is what Carro pays attention to. In the near future, Carro will also open Carro Automall Points in several cities in Indonesia, including Tangerang and Semarang.

"Through Carro Automall, consumers from outside Java can choose and buy quality used cars easily. And we have even succeeded in sending cars to Papua. Coupled with the presence of Carro Automall Points in various cities in Indonesia, Carro will be able to close and easy to reach," said Aditya.

Asked whether Carro has plans for fundraising this year, Aditya emphasized that as a used car buying and selling platform, Carro is committed to continuously improving its services and business expansion so that it can reach the entire community and fundraising become one of the company's pillars to realize this commitment.

Last year, Carro got advanced funding worth $30 million or equivalent to 428,2 billion Rupiah. This investment is a continuation of the series B raises previously announced in May 2018 ($30 million) and March 2019 ($30 million). If the total from the first funding, more or less Carro has raised a total of more than $100 million from investors.

"We as a startup are always in the fundraising-mode and ensure the company's performance and profitability in every line is always ready to get funding at any time."