Autonomy Taps Mercedes-Benz Executive Fred Weick to Scale Vehicle Subscriptions

Vehicle subscription company Autonomy has appointed Mercedes-Benz executive Fred Weick as CEO.

Weick succeeds Autonomy founder Scott Painter, who will serve as lead director of the Autonomy board. Weick will report to Painter, the company said in a Monday (June 29) press release.

Weick spent more than 30 years at Mercedes-Benz (formerly Daimler) and its financial services businesses, and his experience encompasses OEM operations, vehicle financing, fleet management, leasing, dealer networks, sales and business development, according to the release.

Weick will work with Autonomy Co-Founder and Chairman Georg Bauer and President and Chief Operating Officer Leopold Visser to continue the development and expansion of Autonomy’s flexible vehicle access platform, the release said.

Autonomy enables customers to choose a vehicle through its app, pay by credit card and access the vehicle through a month-to-month subscription agreement, per the release.

Painter said in the release that Weick understands every part of the automotive ecosystem and how those parts work together to enhance the customer experience.

“As we move Autonomy into its next phase, Fred will combine disciplined execution with deep relationships across automakers, dealers, fleet operators and financial services,” Painter said.

Bauer said in the release: “At Autonomy we believe that consumers shouldn’t go into debt to have access to a vehicle, and they deserve a simpler and more flexible way to get a car. Fred’s appointment represents an important investment in that belief.”

Weick said in the release that Autonomy provides “worry-free mobility” for customers who don’t want to be locked into a traditional vehicle ownership experience.

“We have listened to our customers and will grow our product offerings to provide our users with greater choice and more freedom to drive what they want, when they want, and how they want,” Weick said.

Autonomy said in November that it secured $25 million in financing to add about 1,250 electric vehicles to its car subscription offering. The company said it was adding Volvo and Polestar vehicles to its fleet that previously included only Tesla vehicles.

PYMNTS reported in 2018 that vehicle subscription plans give customers access to vehicles they choose and free them from the complications of leasing and ownership.