In the news

The Australian

August 2020

Will we want a flying Uber?

This utopian idea of all transport being shared is disappearing, but may resurface when COVID-19 is a distant memory.

AFR

August 2020

Online car seller claims growth amid COVID-19 chaos.

The boss of online car retail platform Carconnect said a plunge in Australian new car sales since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns has sent more consumers to the internet, with online sales offering a fresh channel to struggling dealers.

StartUp Daily

July 2020

BRING ON 2022: 8 founders & investors on how they see the new financial year.

Despite the massive disruption wrought on the economy and many businesses by the coronavirus pandemic, the second half of the 2020 financial year was a manna from heaven for many startups – yet the opposite for others.

AFR

July 2020

Start-up thrives as Netflix generation embraces car subscriptions.

An Australian start-up enabling drivers to subscribe to cars, rather than buy them, has rebranded ahead of a global expansion, after a COVID-19-era slowdown in car sales saw a surge in demand from car dealerships.

CarsGuide

July 2020

Car Subscription: How to find the best car subscription service in Australia.

In uncertain times, you might think differently about things. For example, instead of buying and owning a car, there's a chance you could have recently searched 'car subscription Australia', only to be confused at what is out there in the car subscription service space.

CarsGuide

July 2020

Jaguar Land Rover announces new Pivotal car subscription service.

Fancy swapping between a Jaguar i-Pace and Range Rover Sport without having to cop the cost of depreciation and ownership? Jaguar Land Rover’s new Pivotal subscription service could be right up your alley.

B&T

June 2020

Subscription growth remains as lockdown restrictions ease.

One in two subscription companies are still growing despite the economic effects of COVID-19 and almost one in five have actually experienced an acceleration in growth during this period.

Caradvice

June 2020

Car subscription in Australia: which service is the best?

As we enter a new decade, car subscription in Australia has well and truly progressed from new-age novelty to present-day reality.

Yahoo Finance

June 2020

Govt gives out $25k as recession comes; Is it time to buy shares?

Markets: Wall St was up overnight and Australian shares are predicted to follow on Thursday morning, to continue its spectacular run from Wednesday.

AFR

June 2020

New vehicle sales slump 35pc in May.

New vehicle sales slumped 35.3 per cent across Australia in May as the economic damage from the coronavirus pandemic further shattered household confidence.

Savings.com

June 2020

New car sales down 35%, but electric vehicles up 22%.

Today the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) recorded the 26th continuous monthly decline for new car sales - but electric car sales are up.

Business Insider

June 2020

Australians are swapping their wheels for car subscriptions as the coronavirus pandemic hits auto sales

Australians appear to be increasingly steering away from the car yard as growth in the subscription model accelerates.

The Australian

May 2020

Are subscription businesses more resilient in a crisis?

Last week Des Hang wrote in The Australian that subscription businesses are still growing despite COVID-19, so I decided to look at the numbers.

AFR

May 2020

Slack slacks off: outages bring down key collaboration tool.

Slack slacks off: outages bring down key collaboration tool.

The Australian

May 2020

A new opportunity for subscription businesses.

If I had to put money on it, I'd wager that in a post-COVID-19 world more services will become subscription-based.

AFR

May 2020

New car sales plunge 18 per cent in March.

The economic turmoil from the coronavirus pandemic has triggered a record 17.9 per cent tumble in the number of new vehicles sold in March, with 17,752 fewer vehicles sold in Australia compared with the same month last year.

AFR

March 2020

Start-ups say JobKeeper scheme will keep them alive.

Technology start-up founders say the government's JobKeeper payments will keep them in business and save many jobs, but fear many early-stage companies won't qualify.

StartUp Daily

March 2020

The startup sector reacts to the Australian government's $130bn jobs and business ‘hibernation’ strategy

Australia’s startup sector has reacted favourably to the Morrison government's $130 billion economic stimulus package, announced on Monday.

Nine News

March 2020

Carbar launches in Queensland.

It's the automotive industry's answer to what Netflix is to movies and what Spotify is to music - Car subscriptions services are now moving beyond just novelty.

InTheBlack

March 2020

5 ways to nurture business innovation on a global playing field.

Innovation in a business setting is not just about the next breakthrough product or service. It's also about nurturing a culture of creativity and devising new ways to improve processes and efficiencies.

Nine Online

February 2020

Why Aussies could soon pay for Uber like a Netflix subscription?

The subscription model has moved beyond entertainment services such as Netflix or Spotify, recently surging in popularity with car leasing schemes and even meal delivery.

Mumbrella

February 2020

Former Carsguide CEO, Lauren Williams, joins Carbar board.

Australia’s first car subscription service, Carbar has appointed former Carsguide CEO and media executive Lauren Williams to its board as a non-executive director.

AIM GROUP

February 2020

Former CarsGuide CEO joins CarBar board.

Lauren Williams, the former CEO of CarsGuide, has joined the board of Australia-based car subscription service CarBar as a non-executive director.

CarAdvice

February 2020

Nissan announces American subscription service.

Nissan has joined the ranks of carmakers offering a subscription service in the US market, with the announcement of Nissan Switch.

SMH

February 2020

Think a long time ahead': Life as a startup after getting bought.

Ben Vanderwaal, the co-founder of Roam, likes to put his own spin on corporate giant EY's acquisition of the energy market modelling startup.

Daily Telegraph

February 2020

'Netflix for cars’: Why subscription-based car ownership is winning fans in Australia.

'Netflix for cars’: Why subscription-based car ownership is winning fans in Australia.

The Australian

February 2020

Expensive CBA has quarter of domestic home loan market.

Expensive CBA has quarter of domestic home loan market.

CarsGuide

January 2020

Car subscription in Australia: which service is the best?

As we enter a new decade, car subscription in Australia has well and truly progressed from new-age novelty to present-day reality.

Go Auto

August 2019

Taylor to lead dealer relations at Carbar

Former Manheim exec now at Carbar as subscription firm opens up platform to dealers

Mumbrella

August 2019

Carbar appoints Kieron Wogan as its first CMO

Car subscription service Carbar has appointed Kieron Wogan as its first chief marketing officer. Wogan is joining Carbar after spending over two years at HMD Global as its head of marketing for Australia and New Zealand.

PetaCrunch

August 2019

Carbar, Australia’s Leading Vehicle Subscription Platform

Carbar has raised $17.5M in total and was acquired by Insurance Australia Group (IAG). We talk with Des Hang, Carbar’s CEO.

B&T

August 2019

Carbar Appoints Kieron Wogan As First CMO

Australia’s first car subscription service Carbar has appointed former head of marketing at HMD Global ANZ, Kieron Wogan as its chief marketing officer.

New.com.au

August 2019

How entrepreneur quit his ‘cushy corporate job’ — and hired former manager

Most of us have dreamt of having the upper hand over our manager at one point — and Melbourne man Des Hang has done just that.

Entrepreneur

August 2019

Challenges Aussie Entrepreneurs Faced and How did They Overcome

Every business confront challenges. Entrepreneurs need to constantly watch for problem facing business and juggle multiple responsibilities to overcome these challenges. We asked some Aussie entrepreneurs on what problems did they face this year, and they responded with these proven suggestions.

StartUp Daily

July 2019

Insurance giant IAG has paid millions for a majority stake in vehicle hire startup Carbar

The country’s biggest insurer, IAG, has taken a majority stake in digital car subscription and trading startup Carbar as part of a $16.8 million raise by the three-year-old venture.

AIM Group

July 2019

Australia’s CarBar raises $11.9 million U.S.

CarBar — an Australia-based subscription car service — has received a $16.8 million AUD ($11.9 million U.S.) cash injection from investors, including Insurance Australia Group (IAG). The capital will be used to fund the company’s national expansion.

GoAuto

July 2019

AG funds Carbar

THREE-YEAR-OLD car subscription company Carbar has received a $16.8 million injection from investors including insurance giant IAG that puts it on track to expand into Western Australia and Queensland.

Collison Week

July 2019

Australia’s Largest Insurer Acquires Majority Stake in Digital Car Subscription Platform

Insurance Australia Group Limited (IAG), Australia’s largest general insurer, has acquired a majority stake in digital car subscription and trading platform Carbar.

Insurance News

July 2019

IAG buys into car subscription service

IAG has acquired a majority stake in car subscription and trading platform Carbar after participating with other investors in a $16.8 million capital raising.

Insurance Asset Risk

July 2019

IAG takes majority stake in car subscription service Carbar

Australian insurer takes the lead in $16.8m funding round

Coverager

July 2019

IAG Acquires Majority Stake in Carbar

Through Carbar, “IAG can better understand these changing mobility trends while providing new sources of value to customers,” the company said in a statement.

Which-50

July 2019

IAG Acquires Majority Stake In Subscription Auto Business Carbar

Car subscription and trading platform Carbar has raised $16.8 million from insurance company IAG and private investors.

AFR

July 2019

IAG invests millions in online car lease start-up

Multinational insurance company Insurance Australia Group has acquired a majority stake in Carbar, an online car leasing start-up that allows drivers and companies to hire cars without fixed contracts.

DealStreetAsia

July 2019

AU’s Carbar raises $16.8m from IAG, private investors to grow car subscriptions

Australian car subscription platform Carbar raised $16.8 million from IAG, the country’s largest general insurer, and private investors.

SmartCo

July 2019

Melbourne startup Carbar secures $16.8 million, as IAG acquires majority stake

Vehicle subscription startup Carbar has raised $16.8 million in funding, with Insurance Australia Group (IAG) acquiring a majority stake of the business.

The Australian

June 2019

Workers demand High-tech perks

Employees are being offered on-demand massages and car subscriptions in a bid to improve morale.

Savings.com.au

June 2019

Carbar’s ‘Netflix for cars’ is Australia’s first car subscription service

The start-up, which was previously only available in Melbourne, has launched in Sydney as part of a broader plan to roll out across the country. Des Hang, co-founder and CEO of Carbar, told Savings.com.au that car subscription services like Carbar can help people save money on the rising costs of car ownership.

Auto Rental News

June 2019

Luxury Subscription Service Expands to Sydney

Carbar’s "Netflix for cars" car subscription service has launched in Sydney, offering residents affordable access to luxury cars. Previously only available in Melbourne, the move marks Carbar’s first expansion interstate as part of a broader plan to roll out across the country.

Finder.com.au

June 2019

Carbar launches car subscription service in Sydney

Melbourne-based car subscription service Carbar has arrived in Sydney, its first expansion outside of Victoria. Dubbed the "Netflix for cars", the service originally launched in Melbourne in August last year, and plans to expand across the rest of the country.

The Australian

June 2019

Carbar’s ‘Netflix for cars’ in Sydney launch

Sydneysiders can now access luxury cars for a weekly subscription fee, as combustion engine car sales continue to decline.

Nine News

May 2019

Stress Free Spin: Carbar launches in Sydney

This new subscription service for cars allows you to drive what you want, when you want - then give it back when you're done.

MoneyMag

May 2019

‘Netflix for cars’: car subscription services are revving up

By 2025 1.9 million cars on Australian roads could be subscription cars. That’s 10% of the country’s current road fleet, and almost four times the 515,472 private vehicles sold in 2018.

Stockhead

May 2019

Here’s what Australia’s tech scene wants to see from the new Morrison government

“We don’t think this election result will have an immediate impact on us or the startup ecosystem, as there were not any promises made towards funding or incentivising the ecosystem.

The Australian

May 2019

Car subscriptions rev up

Paying for cars like Spotify and Netflix is slowly becoming the new normal.

AFR

April 2019

Facebook, Google are not publishers, says US anti-trust expert

Renowned US competition lawyer Howard Shelanski has pushed back against moves by regulators to treat Facebook and Google as publishers, saying any laws dictating how the tech giants display content or refer users to news sites would be overreaching.

The Australian

April 2019

‘It’s start-up policy by stealth’

Australia’s start-ups have welcomed Scott Morrison’s billion-dollar small business fund.

Global Fleet

April 2019

Australian Vehicle Subscription on the Rise

Competition in the Australian vehicle subscription industry is heating up with the announcement in Sydney today (9 April 2019) that Collaborate (ASX: CL8), the business behind peer-to-peer car rental platform DriveMyCar, has officially launched their own vehicle subscription service.

Stockhead

April 2019

The federal Budget failed to deliver on the one thing Australia’s startup industry wanted most – R&D

“Investing in the startup ecosystem and industry will flow on to improve other areas of business. The government aren’t interested in SMEs, they are buying votes.” Those sentiments were echoed by Carbar CEO Des Hang, who said the government’s policy indicated it now viewed small businesses and startups in the same basket, when in fact both industries have different needs.

Business Insider

April 2019

BUDGET RESPONSE: 'It’s budgets like this that force us to question

Businesses across the country have told Business Insider Australia what they make of Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s first ever budget, which was unveiled on Tuesday evening.

StartUp Daily

April 2019

Startups react to the Federal budget cutting of innovation budget

For the second year in a row, the government has made cuts to the R&D tax incentive scheme and several startups have expressed their disappointment. “Alongside last year’s crackdown in December, it’s evident emerging companies shouldn’t rely on this policy going forward and should leverage it while they can” says Des Hang, CEO and co-founder, Carbar.

Business Insider

April 2019

Here's what 18 Australian tech business leaders want from the budget

There’s been a lot of uncertainty on the R&D tax incentives and we would expect that this budget would further clear this up. Our biggest concern is that the overall pool of funds allocated to R&D tax credits shrinks, but the government still allows Australia’s largest companies to easily access them.

The Australian

April 2019

Start-ups seek details on R&D tax incentive scheme

Australia’s start-ups are calling for clarity around the research and development tax incentive scheme.

Finder

March 2019

Business In:Brief with Des Hang (Carbar)

Des Hang is the CEO and co-founder of Carbar, the digital car marketplace that aims to take the stress out of buying and selling vehicles. Customers can buy a car directly from the website and have it delivered to their door, and then have a 3-day or 300km test period to see it they want it. The company also launched the car subscription service, Carbar+, last August, which lets drivers rent a car with no lock-in contracts and switch cars as they wish.

AFR

March 2019

How house prices woes have helped disrupter Carbar

The house price slide that is undermining confidence in the economy has fuelled a growth spurt for a company that rents out vehicles to drivers for short stints under a subscription model.

Mumbrella

March 2019

We sponsored a race car, and proved why startups should still invest in brand

Up until the Melbourne Grand Prix, the majority of Carbar's marketing had been online. CEO and co-founder Des Hang explains why...

Finder

March 2019

Why are car sales slowing in 2019?

There's a number of reasons why we're down from recent record highs.

Finder

March 2019

A brave new world for the Australian car market

Competing access models and technologies will transform the Australian car landscape, says Carbar CEO Des Hang.

StartUp Daily

February 2019

Government releases guidelines clarifying software development eligible for R&D tax incentive

The government has released new guidelines to help businesses claiming funding for software development through the research and development (R&D) tax incentive.

The Australian

January 2019

Carbar start-up hits right buttons for car ownership entry and exit

Melbourne technology start-up Carbar is pitching itself as Netflix for cars, ramping up a subscription product, dubbed “Carbar+”, allowing customers to switch car ownership on and off with the click of a button.

StartUp Daily

January 2019

The concerns keeping Australian startup leaders up at night

Of course startups are always working hard, but it’s generally agreed upon that not as much gets done in the business world between...

Channel 9 A Current Affair

November 2018

Carbar, Caltex turning servos into car yards

We’ve all been through the rollercoaster of selling a car, whether it’s bartering for a better deal, feeling bullied by salespeople...

Australia Financial Review AFR

November 2018

Caltex and Carbar turn service stations into car yards

Caltex is turning its service station forecourts into car sales and rental yards as an antidote to flat sales of fuel...

Channel 7 News

November 2018

Caltex service station selling used cars

A South Yarra service station is going beyond offering fuel and snacks for sale. It's now selling used cars.

Epoch Times

August 2018

墨尔本華裔青年低投入創業 年入千萬

三年前，墨爾本四名年輕人共投入15萬澳元創辦了Carbar公司，該公司去年的收入超過了1000萬澳元...

Yahoo7

August 2018

Aussie start-up disrupting vehicle ownership

It's been billed as 'Netflix for Cars', a new start-up promising to change how people drive...

Concrete Playground

August 2018

Australia's first-ever car subscription service service Carbar+ has just landed in Melbourne.

That whole car ownership caper can now be a little less stressful, thanks to the arrival of Melbourne's new car subscription service...

Herald Sun

August 2018

Melbourne start-up looking to disrupt car ownership with Netflix-style subscription service

A MELBOURNE-based start-up is looking to capitalise on a change in consumer behaviour by offering Australians what it calls the “Netflix of cars”.

News.com.au

August 2018

Melbourne start-up looking to disrupt car ownership with Netflix-style subscription service

A MELBOURNE-based start-up is looking to capitalise on a change in consumer behaviour by offering Australians what it calls the “Netflix of cars”.

Yee Yi (亿忆)

August 2018

墨尔本华裔男花15万创业 去年创收1000万!

三年前，联合创始人Desmond Hang和大学朋友Davie Saw, Richie Chen及Kenneth Teo一起创办了Carbar...

Smart Company

August 2018

Virtual dealership startup Carbar raises $5.75 million to fuel a change in the way we own cars

Vehicle marketplace startup Carbar has raised $5.75 million for its virtual car dealership and subscription model for motors in what founder and...

The Age

August 2018

Got a subscription for your TV, your music, what about your car?

You've got a subscription for your television, your music, what about your car...

Sydney Morning Herald

August 2018

Got a subscription for your TV, your music, what about your car?

You've got a subscription for your tel

Brisbane Times

August 2018

Got a subscription for your TV, your music, what about your car?

You've got a subscription for your television, your music, what about your car...