Autonomy, a California-based startup that initially aimed to offer a vehicle subscription service featuring 23,000 electric vehicles (EVs) from 17 automakers, including Tesla, has pivoted to include internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. The company faced near-collapse within a year due to an EV price war initiated by Elon Musk, which caused its fleet value to drop significantly. Despite these challenges, Autonomy has remained operational and is now expanding its subscription service to include gas-powered vehicles, such as Ford models like the Mustang, Ranger, and F-150, as well as SUVs like the Bronco Sport, Escape, and Explorer. The vehicles are sourced from Los Angeles-based Galpin Motors and will be available to customers in California and other states where Autonomy operates.

Autonomy’s CEO, Fred Weick, justified the pivot by emphasizing the need to cater to customer preferences, particularly as new and used car prices have surged, making vehicle ownership more challenging for individuals with low credit scores or limited access to credit. The company’s subscription model involves a one-time fee and a monthly charge, with the flexibility for customers to cancel after one month. Weick identified four target customer segments for the ICE vehicle subscription: university students, military families, foreign workers, and individuals seeking a “company car” experience. Despite the shift towards ICE vehicles, Autonomy continues to see interest in EV subscriptions, particularly in California, although its current EV fleet of just over 500 vehicles falls far short of the 23,000 initially promised. Source

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