Will mass distribution finally succeed in selling cars? Hypermarket brands have tried repeatedly in recent decades to offer vehicles for sale. So far in vain.
But the massive arrival of the electric car in the coming years may perhaps change the situation. In any case, this is the bet that Lidl is making in Germany and Austria.
After electric bicycles, the brand enters the automobile sector with the start-up Like2Drive, specialized in all-inclusive rentals. Offered at 222 euros per month until July 10, this vehicle is already available for 269 euros. It is a subscription with a one-year commitment (for 10,000 kilometres). Everything is included except the electricity to power it.
200 kilometers of autonomy
The vehicle in question is not known to the general public. The Finn is a small two-seater of 2.80 meters designed by the German brand Elaris but manufactured in China. Competitor of the Citroën Ami (marketed in France in particular at Fnac-Darty), the small city car has false airs of Smart.
Normally sold for 20,330 euros before the ecological bonus of 6,000 euros, the car is equipped with a 48 horsepower engine with a 32 kW battery that allows it to reach 115 km/h for a theoretical range of 300 kilometers (but rather 200 according to the Auto Bild site that was able to test the vehicle). A battery that, on the other hand, can be recharged in an hour thanks to the fast charging system CSS (“Combined Charging System”).
A small city car that offers a fairly high level of interior equipment for its price with air conditioning, cruise control, hands-free system, LED headlights, DAB + radio and touch screen navigation system.
And in the French market?
Lidl France marketing does not seem to be on the agenda at the moment. But it is these types of vehicles that could benefit from the state device promised by Emmanuel Macron during his campaign: an electric car for less than 100 euros a month for the consumer.
Other manufacturers are trying to convert the French to this all-inclusive subscription formula, which is currently rare. Nissan thus offers its Leaf at 99 euros per month for three and a half years, for a maximum of 30,000 kilometers. Dacia sa Spring at 120 euros per month with 40,000 kilometers in 4 years, and a first rent of 7,700 euros reduced to zero if the maximum public subsidies apply.
Source: BFM TV
