Zoomcar resumes operations in 35 cities; offers 100% discount

Car rentals startup Zoomcar has resumed its operations in 35 cities and has launched a new campaign to help draw customers at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic has derailed the mobility sector. 

While operations have resumed in cities in south and east zone cities such as Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Hyderabad, Vizag, and Siliguri among others, select areas such as Mysore and north and west zones cities will have operational availability from 7 am to 7 pm.

The Bengaluru-based company has ramped up efforts to deep clean its cars after every trip. It is also using artificial intelligence and internet of things capabilities to enable features such as keyless access to cars and contactless car pickups and drop-offs, according to a statement on Wednesday.

As part of the ‘Zoom to Atmanirbharta’ campaign, Zoomcar will offer unlimited rescheduling and a 100% discount on all short-term rental bookings made between May 26 and 29. The discount breakup would be 50% off on initial booking amount and 50% in cashback. 

Customers who require cars for a longer duration can choose to subscribe for one, three and six months at discounted prices.

Read: Coronavirus India Updates

“The need for personal mobility solutions has become more important than ever in the wake of the Covid-19 emergency... We are strictly abiding by the government rules and regulations, and we will continue to update our customers on the status of various cities and safety instructions as further clarity emerges,” CEO and co-founder at Zoomcar Greg Moran said in a statement.

Earlier in April, when an absolute curfew was placed in India, Moran had told TechCircle that the company would not resort to laying off staff during dire times of business. The senior leadership has agreed to take full to partial deferment of salaries till June.

Additionally, the car rental platform that operates a fleet of over 10,000 cars had utilised its otherwise grounded fleet for emergency and essential services during the complete lockdown in March and April, Moran had told TechCircle.

Related: How shared mobility startups are stepping up efforts against Covid-19

Apart from car rentals to frontline workers, it had also partnered with online retailers BigBasket, Grofers, Milk Basket and Apollo Pharmacy for last-mile delivery as well as offline stores like Big Bazaar, More and Spencers to provide for both staff commute and last-mile delivery.

In January, the company secured $100 million from Sony Corporation following the $40 million Series C funding raised from domestic carmarker Mahindra & Mahindra in February 2018. 

Venture capital firm Sequoia Capital India, Ford Motor Company, Nokia Growth Partners and Silicon Valley Bank are among the company’s other investors.

Prior to the Covid-19 lockdown, it operated in over 45 cities.