From Side Hustle to 50 Vehicle Fleet How One Sydney Entrepreneur is Redefining Local Car Rental

In an era where the digital-first, low-overhead "platform" model has disrupted everything from accommodation to food delivery, Sydney-based entrepreneur Alexander Munao is proving that the same logic can redefine local car rental.

What began as a single-vehicle side hustle parked in Chippendale has scaled into Chippendale Carshare Pty Ltd, a thriving 43-vehicle fleet with a projected annual turnover exceeding $400,000 AUD.

His secret isn't just hard work; it's a smart, scalable model that blends technology, community, and a keen understanding of modern consumer needs. "I saw an opportunity to build something modern — a car rental business that’s fully digital, flexible, and community-driven," Munao explains.

A Modern Alternative to Traditional Rental

Traditional car rental agencies are burdened by high overheads: expensive commercial lots, physical branches, and extensive staffing. Munao’s business, in contrast, operates almost entirely digitally.

By leveraging Turo's peer-to-peer car-sharing platform, his team manages a large fleet—handling cleaning, maintenance, toll management, and GPS tracking—all behind the scenes. This lean model allows the business to offer highly affordable, flexible car hire with the app-based convenience that customers now expect.

"We can scale faster than a traditional rental company because we don’t carry the same overheads," Munao says. "And because it’s all app-based, customers love the convenience."

This model has proven incredibly successful, with the business expanding quickly to service high-demand inner Sydney suburbs like Chippendale, Redfern, Ultimo, Surry Hills, Glebe, and Zetland.

Empowering Locals Through Co-Hosting

Beyond growing his own fleet, Munao’s most innovative step is creating a new opportunity for other Sydney residents to generate passive income from their idle vehicles.

Through the company's car-share co-hosting program, other vehicle owners can list their cars on the Turo platform while Munao’s operations team manages 100% of the logistics. This includes all guest communication, bookings, professional cleaning, and vehicle care.

Co-hosts receive a 70% revenue share, with many earning $750 or more per month, per vehicle. It's a system designed to turn an underutilised asset into a reliable cash flow stream, all managed by a professional and trusted team.

"We help people turn idle cars into cashflow," Munao notes. "Whether you have one car or five, we take care of everything."

Building Trust with Technology and Service

A key driver of this success has been a relentless focus on building a trusted operational system. Munao’s model isn't just "renting a car"; it's providing a reliable, professional service.

By integrating Turo Protection Plans, live GPS data, and strict internal compliance for maintenance and servicing, the business ensures guests receive the same reliability they’d expect from a major rental brand. This operational excellence has earned the business consistent five-star reviews and a high rate of repeat customers, cementing its reputation in Sydney's growing car-sharing scene.

Scaling Toward a Shared Future

Munao’s plans for 2025 and beyond remain ambitious, with goals to grow the fleet to 50–60 vehicles and invest further in SEO, Google Ads, and community partnerships to expand brand awareness.

For Munao, this is about more than just cars; it's about fundamentally changing how people access mobility in Australia. "Car ownership is expensive. Sharing cars makes more sense for many people," he says. "We’re building a future where mobility is flexible, local, and powered by everyday Australians."

For those interested in this modern approach to local mobility, you can learn more about Chippendale Carshare's community-driven service and their story online.