The French start-up Virtuo entered the rental car market in 2016, carving out its place among the giants such as Hertz, Europcar and Avis.
The idea of Karim Kaddoura and Thibault Chassagne, the two founders, was to bring what the others did not offer, or in an incomplete way.
Thanks to a fully digitized and “contactless” journey, Virtuo customers can rent a car of their choice directly from their smartphone.
Once your profile is filled in (driver's license ...), you just have to book the exact model you want and go unlock it in one of the underground car parks where Virtuo stores its fleet.
The smartphone thus acts as an “agency counter” and even as an ignition key, since the app is used to start the vehicle.
Another particularity of Virtuo: it takes particular care to offer high-end vehicles (thermal and now electric) while practicing competitive prices.
1000 vehicles in Paris
As a result, in less than 5 years, the company has succeeded in multiplying its clientele tenfold in the three countries where it operates: France, Spain and the United Kingdom.
In Paris, the fleet includes 1,000 vehicles, parked in 13 underground car parks.
The “French Tech” company employs around 100 people.
Despite the turmoil of Covid-19, it continues to grow.
And innovate.
Always with the aim of making life easier for customers, Virtuo is launching in April in Paris its valet parking service, called “Virtuo Delivered”.
Tested in London, “this one-click service was a hit.
80% of the customers questioned wanted this option ”, rejoices Karim Kaddoura.
For an additional 15 euros, the vehicle can be brought to your neighborhood, within a radius of 500 meters maximum around your home.
Ditto at the end of the rental: Virtuo offers to leave the car near you, while a driver comes to pick it up (+ 15 euros also).
A real plus in the Paris region, where Sunday night traffic jams can quickly spoil a long weekend spent in the countryside ...