BMW Shuts Down Car Subscription Service

Many automakers have been trialing car subscription services in the US, allowing customers to pay a monthly subscription to access a selection of cars without committing to buying and owning one. This gives people the flexibility of swapping between cars depending on their requirements, such as using a family car on weekdays and swapping it for a sports car to enjoy on the weekend.

Unfortunately, car subscriptions haven't been as popular as automakers had hoped. Last year, Mercedes-Benzpulled the plugon its Collection subscription service due to low demand. Ford also sold off itsCanvas subscription serviceto Fair. According toThe Verge,BMW is the latest automaker to pull out of the car subscription model.

BMW launched its "Access By BMW" subscription service as a pilot project in Nashville to gauge interest, but subscribers are being told the service will end at the end of this month. "Unfortunately the Access by BMW subscription program is ending on January 31 and we are no longer taking new members," a BMW spokesperson said in a statement.

While BMW's subscription service is ending, the automaker is still considering launching an alternative program in the future.

"We are in the process of developing the next iteration of Access by BMW and will share more information with you as it becomes available," the spokesperson confirmed, adding that "the program had reached its capacity limits" when asked about the subscription service's sales.