Carsharing is rapidly growing service that gains more and more acceptance among car drivers. By now, alternative business models exist in search of new customers. This term paper aims to evaluate the potential of alternative carsharing business models in the automotive industry. Therefore, it will first set theoretical foundations by introducing different forms of carsharing and business model concepts. In a second step, dominant forms will be exemplified by applying it to a business model framework. In a last step, the author will make use of a SWOT analysis to examine potentials of each carsharing business model. This paper will exclusively concentrate on business-to-customer carsharing services on the German market. Other forms of the shared mobility will not be considered.
Carsharing is a special form of the so-called access based consumption. It refers to transactions that are market mediated but without transfer of property. The term carsharing (or short-term auto use) describes a principle where individuals gain advantage from private car use without the costs and commitments of ownership. Core char-acteristics are a short rental period, simple access to vehicles and good transition to other forms of mobility. This way of utilization is applicable for intermediate travel and routine activities. Even though carsharing emerged in Europe between the 1940s and 1980s, it ultimately became popular in the 1990s. Since then, it is spreading and growing all over the continent. Among others, one crucial factor for this development is that by 2020 55 per cent of the world population is expected to live in cities, which will lead to considerable space, infrastructure and environmental problems. Thus, the possession of a private car becomes more and more unattractive as overstrained infrastructures make a smooth flow of traffic impossible. Carsharing has to be distinguished from other types of shared mobility solutions like ride sharing concepts such as Uber, which are not treated in this paper.
Table of Content
1 Introduction
2 Carsharing
2.1 What is Carsharing?
2.2 Forms of Carsharing and Provider Landscape
3 Theoretical Background on Business Models
3.1 Definition of Business Models
3.2 Description of Alternative Carsharing Business Models
4 Potential Analysis of Alternative Carsharing Business Models
4.1 General Development and Potential of the Carsharing Market in Germany
4.2 Evaluation of the Potential separated by Business Model
4.3 Evaluation
5 Conclusion
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This term paper evaluates the potential of alternative carsharing business models within the German automotive industry. The research aims to categorize dominant carsharing forms, analyze them through a business model framework, and assess their market potential using a SWOT analysis to understand future development paths for mobility services.
- Analysis of access-based consumption models in the automotive sector.
- Differentiation between free-floating, station-based, and peer-to-peer carsharing.
- Application of a business model framework to map value propositions and revenue streams.
- SWOT analysis regarding the competitive landscape of the German carsharing market.
- Strategic outlook on the integration of multiple carsharing systems.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1 What is Carsharing?
Carsharing is a special form of the so-called access based consumption. It refers to transactions that are market mediated but without transfer of property (cf. Bardhi/Eckhardt 2012, p. 3). The term carsharing (or short-term auto use) describes a principle where individuals gain advantage from private car use without the costs and commitments of ownership. Core characteristics are a short rental period, simple access to vehicles and good transition to other forms of mobility. This way of utilization is applicable for intermediate travel and routine activities (cf. Shaheen 2015, p. 2). Even though carsharing emerged in Europe between the 1940s and 1980s, it ultimately became popular in the 1990s. Since then, it is spreading and growing all over the continent (cf. Shaheen/Cohen 2007, p. 81). Among others, one crucial factor for this development is that by 2020 55 per cent of the world population is expected to live in cities, which will lead to considerable space, infrastructure and environmental problems. Thus, the possession of a private car becomes more and more unattractive as overstrained infrastructures make a smooth flow of traffic impossible (cf. Stricker/Gregor/Raymond 2011, pp. 7 sqq.). Carsharing has to be distinguished from other types of shared mobility solutions like ride sharing concepts such as Uber, which are not treated in this paper.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: This chapter outlines the paper's focus on evaluating alternative carsharing business models in Germany and explains the methodological approach including SWOT analysis.
2 Carsharing: This chapter defines the principle of carsharing as an access-based consumption model and introduces its historical development and relevance in urban environments.
2.1 What is Carsharing?: This section clarifies the definition of carsharing, highlighting core characteristics such as short rental periods and the avoidance of ownership costs.
2.2 Forms of Carsharing and Provider Landscape: This section details the three specific B2C carsharing forms—free-floating, station-based, and P2P—and describes key market players in Germany.
3 Theoretical Background on Business Models: This chapter establishes the conceptual framework for business models, defining essential elements used to analyze the selected carsharing forms.
3.1 Definition of Business Models: This section provides a theoretical definition of a business model based on established literature, focusing on the mediation between operational processes and strategic goals.
3.2 Description of Alternative Carsharing Business Models: This section presents a comparative overview of the three carsharing forms, mapping them against value propositions, key resources, and revenue streams.
4 Potential Analysis of Alternative Carsharing Business Models: This chapter evaluates the German market dynamics and applies a SWOT analysis to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats for each model.
4.1 General Development and Potential of the Carsharing Market in Germany: This section analyzes market data and growth trends, highlighting the significant rise in authorized users and vehicles.
4.2 Evaluation of the Potential separated by Business Model: This section performs a structured SWOT analysis for free-floating, station-based, and P2P carsharing models.
4.3 Evaluation: This section synthesizes the findings, concluding that while each model has a niche, free-floating and station-based systems represent the highest growth potential.
5 Conclusion: This final chapter summarizes the findings, noting that the coexistence of models is likely, but consolidation into multi-system platforms may define the future market.
Keywords
Carsharing, Business Models, Automotive Industry, Germany, SWOT Analysis, Free-floating, Station-based, Peer-to-peer, Access-based Consumption, Mobility Services, OEM, Market Potential, Shared Mobility, Strategic Management, Urban Infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic paper?
The paper focuses on evaluating the potential of alternative carsharing business models specifically within the German automotive industry.
What are the three main types of carsharing analyzed in this study?
The study examines point-to-point free-floating carsharing, point-to-point station-based carsharing, and commercial peer-to-peer (P2P) carsharing.
What is the core research question?
The research explores how different carsharing business models function, what their competitive strengths and weaknesses are, and which models show the most potential for the German market.
Which scientific methodology is utilized in this paper?
The author uses a business model framework to describe the service components and a SWOT analysis to evaluate the internal and external potentials of each business model.
What does the main body of the text cover?
The main body provides theoretical foundations for business models, detailed descriptions of carsharing forms, market analysis data for Germany, and an evaluation of each model's potential.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Carsharing, Business Models, SWOT Analysis, Mobility Services, and Access-based Consumption.
Why is free-floating carsharing currently considered highly competitive?
It is driven by large OEMs with significant capital and offers "instant access" to vehicles, which is the most important criterion for 47% of German users.
What is the main limitation of the peer-to-peer (P2P) model?
P2P models are limited to round-trip usage, lack telematic services for convenience, and face quality or safety uncertainties compared to centrally managed fleets.
How does the author view the future of these business models?
The author suggests that the "silver bullet" for the future is the integration of multiple systems (e.g., station-based providers adding free-floating fleets) to combine the advantages of different models.
What role do OEMs play in the current carsharing landscape?
Large car manufacturers (OEMs) operate significant free-floating services as an additional business segment, leveraging their financial resources and vehicle fleets to drive market expansion.
- Citar trabajo
- Christian Acht (Autor), 2015, Carsharing Services. A potential analysis of alternative business models in the automotive industry, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/320210
