Carly Holdings attracts an excess of investor interest raising $4.85 million

The last 12 months have been turbulent for many operating in the automotive sector, but Carly Holdings Limited (ASX:CL8) has demonstrated that there is no shortage of optimism or investor appetite for participation in the car subscription industry. Carly Holdings which operates the Australian car subscription service, ‘Carly’ has just closed an oversubscribed renounceable rights issue having raised $4.85 million before costs, $1.45 million more than the $3.39 million that was initially sought by the company.

Rights Issue filled ahead of schedule

Carly announced the Renounceable Rights Issue on 15 April 2021, and it was oversubscribed less than a month later; with major shareholders of the company participating, as well as SG Fleet (ASX:SGF) and Willoughby Capital taking up their entitlements of over $1.50 million.

CEO, Chris Noone, has been thrilled with the overall response, “we received strong support from our shareholders and we also welcomed new institutional and professional shareholders to our register. The popularity of car subscription is increasing and Carly is on a strong growth trajectory which will be supported by strategic utitlisation of these new funds.”

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COVID-19 proved a double edged sword for Carly

Rather than seeing subscriptions drop, Carly saw increased adoption of car subscription during COVID-19, observing a 74% growth in subscribers from the start of the pandemic in March 2020 to March 2021. Chris said that many consumers are seeking flexibility; opting for an all inclusive monthly recurring vehicle subscription over outright purchase or long-term financial commitment to a vehicle. The all inclusive monthly car subscription model is easy to understand and has continued to grow in popularity since Carly’s launch in March 2019.

However, the strong demand for vehicles began to exceed supply once COVID-19 began impacting the automotive industry, causing closures of manufacturing plants, shipping delays and shortages of microchips and critical automotive components. The disruption along the automotive supply chain is reverberating globally, resulting in a deficit of new cars in Australia and a 30% increase in the price of used cars.

Funds to be deployed to accelerate growth of car subscription

Carly intends to leverage a portion of the capital to increase the size of the vehicle fleet. The funds raised will support this initiative in the short-medium term, at least until vehicle supply returns to pre-COVID levels.

Chris Noone noted that while strong growth was achieved in H1 FY21 Carly Car Subscription, full growth potential was not achieved due to vehicle supply restrictions.

“During this period it has proven difficult to secure significant additional vehicles to keep pace with the level of demand for subscriptions. Leveraging our funding to increase the supply of vehicles available for subscription will increase our level of control over vehicle availability and deployment, and will ultimately deliver stronger revenue growth” he concluded.

About Carly Holdings (ASX: CL8)

Carly Holdings (ASX:CL8) is an Australian online technology company that is leading the growth of the car subscription industry in Australia & New Zealand.

Carly Holdings launched Carly, Australia’s first flexible car subscription service in March 2019 and rapidly secured automotive industry leaders SG Fleet (ASX:SGF) and Turners Automotive (ASX:TRA) as significant shareholders, joining other long-term shareholders, including RACV.

Carly car subscription is a flexible alternative to finance or outright purchase of a vehicle that does not require commitment to long term debt. The vehicle can be ‘switched’ for another vehicle if requirements change. Average subscription period is 5.3 months and increasing (Sep 2020). Omnipoll research shows that 38% of Australians would consider car subscription.

Through our businesses, Carly and DriveMyCar, we have been chosen by leading automotive and mobility companies including Hyundai, Subaru, Peugeot, Suttons Motors, Uber, Turners Automotive, RACV and SG Fleet to deliver innovative mobility solutions in Australia & New Zealand.

Carly Holdings enables automotive manufacturers & dealers, fleet managers and corporate fleets to generate revenue from their vehicles and provide the flexible access to vehicles that consumers and businesses are increasingly seeking.

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