Donne le Rythme

25 years of shared car in Belgium. A risky bet, a model that still holds.

When we talk about shared cars in Belgium, many people think directly of Cambio, the iconic actor.

In 2000, when Frédéric Van Malleghem and his team launched the initiative, it was far from obvious. Today, Cambio is part of the landscape: more than a million trips per year, 70000 users, 3000 cars and a hundred cities.

But it hasn't always been a smooth ride.

We dissect everything in this episode:

• The beginnings: how a pioneering project had to make its way in a country where the private car is king.

• Partnerships: why collaboration with public transit agencies has been one of the keys to development.

• Finance and shareholding: how Cambio is structured, the links with Germany and when they reached profitability.

• Vision and impact: Fred wants us to use the car less. Period. So this is reflected in marketing actions, pricing, etc. Cambio will never push you to use the car for a ride by offering you an Uber-style discount voucher.

• Competition: Over the past 25 years, mobility options have exploded. From self-service cars like Poppy or Miles to shared scooters and bikes to shared cars between individuals like Getaround. How has Cambio managed to adapt and stay relevant?

Fred listens, respects, and believes deeply in his team. But when it comes to defending his ideas, he also knows how to fight (that's his rugby side). 

An episode that highlights the long term.