Perrys Motor Sales has become the latest AM100 car retail group to launch its own online vehicle subscription offering through a partnership with Karzoom – launching its new Flex mobility solution.

Following South Coast car retailer Hendy Group into partnership with Karzoom, as the subscription start-up looks to forge regional relationships with franchised dealers to offer a national subscription offering, Perrys will offer short-term, flexible access to cars from locations in Chesterfield and Preston through the new venture.

Perrys Flex will serve customers across Lancashire, Derbyshire and South Yorkshire, offering one- to three-month subscription options and the option of free delivery within 10 miles from each of the two locations.

Speaking exclusively to AM about the creation of Perrys Flex, group managing director Darren Ardron said: “There is a lot of change in the sector and, as a business we have really got to start to think outside the box. This is part of that.

“Flex will integrate really well with what we have in the business already. Perrys has had just the one rental operation working out of a site in Chesterfield. That’s now a really successful part of the business with high utilisation, but that side of the business operates with commercial vehicles.

“Subscription is entirely for car customers – initially offered in partnership with Mazda UK – and will cater for a different type of customer. It really gives us a great opportunity to offer something new to customers wanting maximum flexibility and gauge what potential demand is out there.”

Ardron suggested that Perrys Flex could plug a gap for businesses keen to offer new employees a company car, but scuppered by OEMs’ current long lead times.

Initially, the business plans to commit 20 vehicles to the scheme, offering subscription solutions to customers via its own online portal and the Karzoom website.

Ardron added: “One of the other positives that subscription can also provide – in the current climate – is another potential stream of used car stock coming back into the business.”

Ardron recently appeared on the AM News Show, where he discussed Perrys’ challenges for 2022 and the need to diversify.

Back in May AM reported on the group’s annual financial results for 2021, which showed a 275% rise in pre-tax profit, to £12m (2020: £3.2m), and revenues of £600 million – 22% up on the previous year’s £491m.

Commenting on the new partnership with Perrys, Karzoom co-founder and commercial director, Mike Fazal, said: “To be partnering with Perrys, another innovative and forward-thinking dealer group, is extremely exciting. 

“Our partnership model enables dealers to deploy a fully supported subscription solution in a very short period of time, whilst also providing all of the required system functionality needed to meet both customer and dealer needs. 

“Combined with our unique insurance solution from Zego, plus outstanding customer service from Perrys, means we can deliver a class leading subscription service to customers across these three new regions of the UK. 

“We are very excited to be working with Darren and the team and look forward to building a significant subscription business with them over the coming months and years.”

Karzoom delivers a complete IT platform for vehicles, a fully comprehensive insurance solution through Zego, booking and payment systems as well as helpdesk support to subscription customers.