Avail shuts down D2C offering

Avail Carsharing , the peer-to-peer car sharing startup launched by Allstate in 2018, has ceased operations in Chicago and Denver effective July 16, 2024. In a message displayed via its site, it shared that it’s no longer accepting new bookings. “We are contacting borrowers to cancel bookings that are scheduled to start on or after July 16.”

This move marks a significant shift for the company, which has faced ongoing financial challenges since its inception. Established in 2018, Avail competed with Turo and Getaround. Initially, it operated at select airports across the country before expanding to neighborhoods in Chicago, Denver, and Seattle. Avail eventually shut down its airport operations and continued in select locations in Chicago and Denver, but now those operations have ended as well.

In June we covered Avail’s launch of a B2B offering and that offer is still standing. “While we are ceasing our peer-to-peer car sharing operations, Avail will continue to explore innovations in the vehicle space through our business-to-business partnerships,” writes Avail.

Bottom Line: Not surprising.