Big expansion plans bring Turo to France and the Empire State
I’m thrilled to announce two big developments for the Turo business today.
First, we have acquired OuiCar, a leading French peer-to-peer car sharing marketplace. This acquisition is a big step forward in our international expansion plans, and is our largest-ever acquisition.
I met Benoît Sineau, OuiCar CEO, many years ago and we have had many opportunities to deepen our relationship over the past few years. Benoît and his team have built a fantastic business and we are delighted to welcome them to the Turo family. We have a shared vision for the future of peer-to-peer car sharing, where we are committed to empowering local hosts to build small businesses to supplement their income, while cultivating a vibrant community of guests and a vast network of cars. We’re excited to seize the opportunity to join forces to put France’s 38 million cars to better use.
For now, OuiCar will continue operating under its current brand name, while we collaborate to integrate the platforms and bring the Turo brand to our new French business.
Of course, this expansion is of special importance to me, personally. I spent many of my formative years in Paris, where I went to business school and founded my first company, iBazar, after moving there during the Lebanese Civil War. France is a second home to me, and I’m just so thrilled to share the Turo experience with our future French community.
Announcement number two is a long-awaited victory — I couldn’t be happier to share that Turo will launch in New York state on June 27, 2022. A law was recently passed by members of the New York legislature and signed by Governor Hochul that allows peer-to-peer car sharing, so we’re jumping at the opportunity to launch Turo in the Empire State. With this exciting development, Turo becomes the first and only peer-to-peer car sharing marketplace available in all 50 states, adding to our already unrivaled network.
Entrepreneurs in New York are now able to list their vehicles so they’re all ready to go when the marketplace opens for business to guests on June 27. Become one of the first hosts in New York to qualify for exclusive incentives, and get started now so you can learn the ropes and gear up for what should be a red-hot summer season for New Yorkers.
As we head into peak travel season, these new branches of the business promise to be significant catalysts for the Turo business and brand.
I, of course, must always thank our amazing community of hosts and guests — without your collaboration, support, and commitment, our marketplace simply wouldn’t work. I had the privilege of seeing several top hosts last week at our Power Host Summit and I’m always so invigorated by their incredible ingenuity and inspiring stories. Our hosts truly are the soul of Turo.
Here’s to a wonderful summer, and to welcoming more faces and more places to the Turo family.
