Quick look:
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UCar-e, developed by Perodua, is an app-based car-sharing service for university students and staff to travel between campus accommodations and lecture halls.
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50 vehicles will be supplied for the initial phase and the fleet will be managed by student to provide entrepreneurial experience.
Since last year, Perodua has been promoting ‘Mobility as a Service’, associating it with its EV model. Now the Malaysian automaker has added the ‘Mobility as a Lifestyle’ concept which caters to the different way in which the younger generation considers vehicle ownership.
Recognizing this shift which has an effect on traditional retail models, Perodua has introduced UCar-e, an app-based car-rental service tailored specifically for students and university staff.
Mobility solution
This is long-term initiative which aims to transition the driving experience from conventional vehicle ownership into service-oriented mobility solutions, particularly for younger demographics navigating changing economic and urban landscapes.
For a start, Perodua is partnering with three local institutions: Universiti Utara Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia, and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia via the Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology. A fleet of 50 Perodua vehicles will be distributed among the campuses of these three universities.
For campus travel
According to Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad, the vehicles are intended to facilitate internal campus travel, allowing users to commute between their accommodations and lecture halls.
“We are initially providing 50 Perodua vehicles to these universities for use by students and staff, where they can book, access, and utilise the vehicles to travel from their accommodations to lecture halls within university grounds,” he said.
The operational framework relies entirely on the UCar-e smartphone application, which enables users to locate available vehicles parked at designated spots on each campus. Once the journey is complete, the vehicles must be returned to specific, pre-determined parking zones where they can be rented by another person.
Students manage program
Beyond offering a transport alternative, UCar-e incorporates an interesting operational model. Rather than employing external fleet management companies, Perodua is working with the participating universities to appoint students as vehicle management agents.
These student managers will handle daily upkeep, including monitoring fuel levels, maintaining cleanliness, and ensuring general maintenance. In return, they will receive commission-based compensation. Perodua notes that this structure is intended to provide practical entrepreneurship training and real-world business exposure.
The implementation of UCar-e is scheduled to begin this month, taking place in stages, depending on the infrastructure readiness and specific schedules of each university campus.
Changing consumer expectations
This concept of a shared mobility model highlights Perodua’s awareness of macroeconomic factors influencing the automotive market. High maintenance costs, limited parking availability, and persistent traffic congestion are shifting Gen Z consumer interest towards localized driving experiences rather than the long-term financial commitments of buying a car.
The launch of the UCar-e took place recently at Inasis Perodua within the Universiti Utara Malaysia campus. Inasis Perodua (formerly known as Inapan Siswa PETRONAS) is a student accommodation at UUM, sponsored by Perodua to enhance student. This is part of the automaker’s commitment to supporting student development and providing high-quality living facilities, positioning the college as a ‘second home’ for students while fostering independence and personal growth.
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