posted on 4 April 2022
The host stories series showcases the best and brightest of hosts on Turo. From his convertible Mercedes-Benz C Class to his hybrid VW Golf GTE, Kamel’s 5-star portfolio boasts an impressive and varied range of cars that are all available on the platform. It’s safe to say he is more than well-versed in the world of peer-to-peer car sharing. Read on to find out how he grew his portfolio to a whopping 15 motors and counting.
Why did you become a host on Turo?
I heard about Turo through a friend. His wife Valerie has a successful Turo fleet and he said it’s a great business opportunity.
I like the idea of additional income while being able to be flexible so I thought I’d try it out and put my personal car first. I also have a car wash business which I knew would help me maintain my cars in terms of cleaning.
What cars have you listed?
I started with my Vauxhall Astra and then it grew from there. At first, I didn’t go for high-end cars, but my best performing car was my convertible Mercedes so I’m looking to get more premium cars now. At the moment I’ve got 16 cars listed.
What would be your dream car to host on Turo?
I drive a Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe. Previously, this car couldn’t be listed on the platform because it was classed as too high on the insurance category. However, this has since changed, so I think I’m going to list it. It’s a very desirable vehicle and I don’t think there are any currently listed on Turo.
What advice would you give to those thinking of kickstarting a car sharing business?
It’s different for everyone and there aren’t any set rules, but I’d say start small. Learn about the customer base and their needs, as well as how to operate the online system and app. Customer service is key! We have so many returning customers and this is because we respond to requests straight away. Customer service is key. It’s also important to use that experience to inform car buying decisions when you scale your fleet and look at what performs well.
How important is photography for hosts wanting to increase bookings?
Photography is extremely important as people visualise themselves in your car before booking. I recently had a professional photography shoot for my fleet and it was fantastic. The photographer was great and it’s really helped to make my listings look more desirable.
How has being part of the Turo community impacted your life?
It’s given me more drive (no pun intended)! I have multiple businesses and I genuinely enjoy running my Turo fleet. For me, it’s great that it’s all app based. I started my Turo business during the pandemic and got busy straight away. This kept me busy while my other businesses were closed, so it really worked for me. I’ve made it a success and have been able to grow the fleet quickly.
Would you recommend Turo to your friends and family, and if so, why?
Yes definitely! As a host you are in safe hands, the support is fantastic and I can’t fault the staff. From the instant online chat, to dealing with claims, to helping me grow my business, the Turo team are brilliant.
What are your ambitions for growing your Turo business?
I used to say I wanted to get to 20 cars but I’m already on 16! Now I’m working towards 25 cars and I intend on listing more premium cars. I find having luxury cars more rewarding!
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The views, opinions, and responses represent the experiences of Turo hosts and do not necessarily reflect those of Turo. The earnings results are applicable to the hosts featured and do not represent the experience of all hosts on Turo nor do they represent an average. Results from car sharing on Turo may vary. If you have questions about hosting on Turo, please contact a customer support representative here.
Natasha Aston
Natasha is a Business Development Associate on the Turo UK team. She works on host community engagement and account management and is the point of contact for growing your Turo business.
