Former senior Tesla executive Diarmuid O’Connell joins Fair to lead expansion

In addition to managing commercial and OEM relationships, O’Connell negotiated strategic deals, took leadership on global public policy, and served as interim head of communications.

Prior to Tesla, O’Connell was chief of staff for political military affairs at the US State Department, where he was involved in policy and operational support to the military in various operations.

He previously worked in corporate strategy as a management consultant for Accenture, co-founded an educational software development startup, and was a senior executive with both Young & Rubicam and McCann-Erickson.

Scott Painter, Fair’s founder and CEO, said: “Diarmuid is a world-class executive and leader who has proven himself in an array of disciplines and organisations, from ground-breaking companies to our country’s national security framework.

“Diarmuid’s experience launching revolutionary products will be a critical aspect of our growth plan, while his operational savvy and close relationships at all levels of business and government will help us overcome countless obstacles along the way.”

Fair launched its ground-breaking app last year in California. It enables customers to get a pre-owned car entirely on their phone, with finance approved by scanning a driver’s licence to pre-qualify for a range of monthly payments, which they confirm through e-signature.

Customers can then shop for cars on the app, have them delivered and return them at any time without penalty.

Since launch, Fair has signed up hundreds of dealer partners throughout California to supply vehicles and is planning a national roll-out this year.

As part of its expansion, earlier this year it acquired the Xchange Leasing portfolio from Uber and became Uber’s exclusive long-term vehicle partner in the US for drivers seeking access for 30 days or longer.

Fair also acquired certain assets of vehicle-delivery app Skurt, as part of its plan to establish a cost-effective platform for vehicle delivery, pick-up and fleet management.

It also announced a strategic relationship with Ally Financial in which Fair will use Ally’s SmartAuction platform as a remarketing solution for its returned cars and offer consumers flexible car financing powered through Ally’s Clearlane program.

O’Connell said: “The best companies solve big, pervasive problems, and there’s no bigger one in auto than customers having to take out a massive loan for a car they’re forced to drive years past obsolescence, all while watching it constantly lose value.

“I’m excited to help transform how people get a car with a process that’s totally transparent and mirrors the countless other digital transactions they make, on their terms and with no long-term commitment.”