Meet Carma: The B2B Marketplace Transforming Commercial Auto Repairs
Carma is an innovative B2B managed marketplace designed to streamline and simplify automotive repairs for commercial fleet owners. Founded in 2023 and headquartered in San Francisco, Carma offers same-day automotive repair services with instant transparent offers and guaranteed pricing. With a dedicated team of 11 members, including Group Partner Tom Blomfield, Carma addresses the substantial annual expenditure of $573 billion on auto repairs by fleet owners worldwide. This start-up is revolutionizing the automotive repair industry by making the process more efficient, cost-effective, and transparent.
How Does Carma Serve Fleet Owners?
Carma serves commercial fleet owners by transforming the traditionally cumbersome and opaque auto repair process into a seamless and transparent experience. Fleet owners can request any service through Carma's user-friendly mobile app. This request is then sent to a network of highly-vetted partner service centers, which respond with real-time offers. This system allows fleet owners to receive immediate and competitive pricing, ensuring they can make informed decisions without the typical delays and hidden costs associated with auto repairs.
Carma’s mobile app is designed with the user in mind. The intuitive interface allows fleet owners to quickly and easily submit service requests. Once a request is made, Carma's network of trusted service centers receives the details and provides real-time offers. Fleet owners can then compare these offers, select the most suitable one, and schedule the repair – all within minutes. This efficient process eliminates the need for time-consuming phone calls, price negotiations, and the uncertainty of finding a reliable repair shop.
Why Should Fleet Owners Choose Carma?
Fleet owners who choose Carma benefit from significant cost savings and a hassle-free repair process. On average, Carma’s customers save up to 50% compared to the median price for the same service within their zip code. This substantial cost reduction is achieved through Carma's transparent pricing model and efficient service delivery. By receiving multiple offers from vetted service centers, fleet owners can select the best price without compromising on quality.
Moreover, Carma’s partner service centers benefit from increased revenues and access to new customers. By participating in Carma’s marketplace, service centers gain exposure to a steady stream of high-value, high-ticket work, enhancing their profitability. This mutually beneficial relationship between fleet owners and service centers creates a win-win scenario, fostering a thriving ecosystem within the automotive repair industry.
Who are the Founders of Carma?
Carma was founded by Muhammad Alasgarli and Brandt Lawson, both of whom bring extensive experience and expertise to the company. Muhammad, the CEO, has a background in investment banking with a focus on mergers and acquisitions in the auto-tech industry. His impressive track record includes over $60 billion in transactions for notable corporate clients such as Carvana, Honeywell Transportation Systems, and various stakeholder affiliates of Hertz Rent-A-Car. A graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, Muhammad’s deep industry knowledge and strategic vision are instrumental in driving Carma’s success.
Brandt, the CTO, has a rich history in software engineering, having previously worked with Gelber Group, a high-frequency trading firm. His expertise in marketplace design and algorithmic trading strategies is crucial in developing Carma’s technology platform. Also a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, Brandt’s technical acumen and innovative approach ensure that Carma’s app and systems are robust, efficient, and user-friendly.
What Problem Does Carma Address?
The traditional auto repair process is fraught with challenges, including lack of price transparency, frequent scams, and time-consuming service arrangements. Consumers in the U.S. lose approximately $37 billion annually due to improper or unnecessary vehicle repairs, often overpaying by an average of 62% more than the fair cost of service. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that 80% of car owners do not know what fair auto repair pricing looks like or how a car works.
Carma tackles these issues head-on by offering a streamlined, transparent, and cost-effective solution for commercial fleet owners. By providing instant, transparent offers and guaranteed pricing, Carma eliminates the common frustrations associated with auto repairs. Fleet owners no longer have to worry about being overcharged or spending excessive time finding a reliable service center. Carma’s platform ensures that every repair is conducted at a fair price, saving fleet owners both time and money.
How Does the Carma App Work?
The Carma app revolutionizes the auto repair experience by allowing users to receive prioritized same-day service offers with locked-in pricing. Fleet owners can request any service through the app, which then connects them with highly-rated and vetted local service centers. Within just 60 seconds, users can compare multiple same-day service offers, ensuring they get the best deal. Carma handles the transaction with zero fees, guaranteeing no marked-up prices or hidden charges.
The app’s functionality is designed to be as straightforward as possible. Fleet owners can add their vehicles to their profile in just 30 seconds and immediately start requesting services. The app sends these requests to Carma’s network of partner service centers, who then respond with real-time offers. Fleet owners can review these offers, select the most suitable one, and schedule the repair – all within the app. This streamlined process not only saves time but also ensures transparency and fairness in pricing.
What are the Benefits of Using Carma?
Carma provides numerous benefits to its users, including significant cost savings, immediate service offers, and transparent pricing. The app's efficiency allows fleet owners to quickly add vehicles to their profile and request services, minimizing downtime and maximizing operational efficiency. By pushing Carma users to the front of the line, the app ensures that fleet vehicles receive prompt attention, reducing the inconvenience of prolonged repair times.
Another significant benefit is the peace of mind that comes with knowing that all service centers in Carma’s network are highly vetted and trusted. Fleet owners can be confident that their vehicles are in good hands, receiving high-quality repairs at fair prices. Carma’s commitment to transparency means that there are no hidden fees or surprise charges – users pay the service center’s in-store price or better.
Who Makes Up the Carma Team?
Carma's team is composed of automotive experts with extensive industry experience. Key team members include:
- Muhammad Alasgarli - Co-Founder & CEO. Previously, Muhammad worked in investment banking (M&A/Restructuring) in NYC where he executed mega-cap mergers & acquisitions for publicly traded auto-tech companies, automotive OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and related auto service providers. He has worked on over $60B of cumulative transactions for notable corporate clients such as Carvana, Honeywell Transportation Systems, and various stakeholder affiliates of Hertz Rent-A-Car. Graduate of Washington University in St. Louis.
- Brandt Lawson - Co-Founder & CTO. Prior to co-founding Carma, Brandt worked as a software engineer for Gelber Group, a high-frequency trading hedge fund in Chicago, where he focused on marketplace design and developing algorithmic trading strategies. Graduate of Washington University in St. Louis.
- Alan Kennedy - Vice President of Sales. Alan spent 36 years at Hunter Engineering Company, most recently as an International Regional Manager for the Asia-Pacific region and previously as a U.S. sales representative for Hunter Engineering’s sales territories in Texas and Oklahoma, specializing in undercar service equipment sales to independent automotive service centers and dealerships, with extensive experience in direct sales to both single-location and large-chain service facilities.
- Doug Felt - Technical Product Manager and Subject Matter Expert. Prior to joining Carma, Doug spent 46 years in automotive service: 32 years at Hunter Engineering Company as a Technical Training Manager and Subject Matter Expert, where he managed a portion of Hunter Engineering's training department supplying training to automotive and heavy truck technicians using over 35 satellite training centers nationally; including wheel alignment, balancing, tire changing, brake lathe operation, and counter sales training. Doug also managed training partnerships with Audi/Volkswagen, Bridgestone, Goodyear and a variety of other industry leaders. Before this, Doug spent 7 years as a Shop Manager at Hood’s Automotive and 7 years as a service technician and instructor in the U.S. Air Force.
- Suleyman Alasgarli - Director of Operations. Prior to joining Carma, Suleyman led operations for a portfolio of commercial and residential real estate investments and served as Operations Director for a prominent dental care chain, where he managed the entire sales pipeline end-to-end. Suleyman studied biology and chemistry with an emphasis in biomedical science at the University of Missouri - Kansas City.
What is Carma’s Vision?
Carma aims to set a new standard in automotive service by making pricing transparent and the repair process hassle-free. By leveraging technology and a network of trusted service centers, Carma strives to eliminate the common frustrations associated with auto repairs, ensuring that fleet owners can maintain their vehicles efficiently and cost-effectively.
Carma’s vision extends beyond just cost savings. The company is committed to fostering a culture of transparency and trust within the automotive repair industry. By providing fleet owners with real-time offers and guaranteed pricing, Carma empowers them to make informed decisions, reducing the likelihood of being overcharged or scammed. This commitment to transparency not only benefits fleet owners but also helps build long-term relationships with service centers, fostering a sense of trust and reliability.
How Can Fleet Owners and Service Centers Join Carma?
Carma is currently accepting commercial fleet customers who own multiple vehicles and seek trusted same-day turnaround for their fleet. Additionally, highly-rated automotive service centers interested in increasing revenue with more profitable high-ticket work are encouraged to join Carma's network. By becoming part of Carma, both fleet owners and service centers can benefit from a streamlined, efficient, and transparent auto repair marketplace.
Joining Carma is a straightforward process. Fleet owners can sign up through the Carma app, where they can add their vehicles and start requesting services immediately. Service centers interested in joining Carma’s network can apply through Carma’s website, where they will undergo a vetting process to ensure they meet Car
ma’s high standards of quality and reliability. Once approved, service centers can start receiving service requests and providing real-time offers to fleet owners.
What is the Future of Carma?
As Carma continues to grow, its impact on the automotive repair industry is expected to expand. With a focus on innovation, transparency, and efficiency, Carma is poised to revolutionize the way commercial fleet owners manage their auto repair needs. The company’s commitment to providing exceptional service and cost savings positions it as a leader in the B2B automotive marketplace, paving the way for a more efficient and transparent future in auto repairs.
Looking ahead, Carma plans to expand its network of partner service centers, increasing its reach and ability to serve more fleet owners. The company also aims to continuously improve its technology platform, adding new features and functionalities to enhance the user experience. By staying at the forefront of innovation and maintaining its commitment to transparency and customer satisfaction, Carma is well-positioned to drive significant change in the automotive repair industry.