SoCar is expanding its vehicle lineup to reflect the diverse demands of its customers.
SoCar is set to officially broaden its vehicle lineup by introducing new electric cars, mid-size SUVs, RVs, and imported cars by the end of the year to match the varied mobility demands.
SoCar announced that it is pushing for an expansion of its vehicle lineup in response to changes in the usage patterns of its primary customer demographic. Initially targeted towards those in their 20s, the main user group has steadily expanded over 11 years to include all age ranges. In the last three years, the total usage time by age group has increased, with those in their 20s showing a modest increase of 13.6%, while those in their 30s and 40s increased by 34.0% and 45.6%, respectively. As the service has become more mainstream and the user base in their 30s and 40s has grown, there has been a corresponding influence on both the purpose of service usage and the types of vehicles preferred by customers.
To meet the growing demand for eco-friendly vehicles, SoCar will expand its electric vehicle lineup. They have added popular new electric vehicle models such as the imported Polestar 2, Hyundai Ioniq 6, and Kia EV6 to their existing lineup which includes the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia Niro Plus, and Niro EV.
They are also strengthening their lineup of multi-passenger vehicles, which have become popular not only among existing car-sharing customers but also among those who own their own cars for family trips and activities. SoCar has introduced the Hyundai Palisade (8-seater) as the first mid-size SUV in its vehicle lineup. Additionally, all older diesel models of the Kia Carnival will be replaced with newer gasoline models (9-seater) by the end of the year.
According to SoCar’s third-quarter usage data, the demand for electric vehicles and multi-passenger vehicles (RVs and vans) is steadily increasing. Compared to the third quarter of last year, the average usage time per reservation for electric and multi-passenger vehicles has increased by 6 hours, while the proportion of on-demand service usage—where customers can rent and return vehicles at their desired location—has risen by 6% and 10%, respectively. In the case of electric vehicles, the lower driving costs and a 50% discount on highway tolls have contributed to an increase in usage proportion among SoCar’s primary demographic (30s), from 55% to 74%.
To celebrate the expansion of its new vehicle lineup, SoCar is also holding a ‘SoCar for Play Certification Shot’ event until the end of the year. By sharing moments with SoCar on the event page, participants can win △50,000 credits (5 people), △30,000 credits (10 people), and △5,000 credits (100 people) through a lottery. Customers who use a recommended new vehicle can receive even more special gifts. By posting photos taken with the newly introduced BMW X1 and other new models revealed on December 1 and 8, customers will have a chance to win various prizes, including △Signiel STAY dinner vouchers (2 people), △Samsung Portable Screen The Freestyle (2 people), and △Chosun Hotel & Resort voucher worth 500,000 KRW (2 people). Further details on how to participate in the event can be found through the SoCar app.
The new vehicles added by the end of the year can be easily found using the vehicle filter function on the SoCar app’s reservation screen. If the desired vehicle type is not available in the nearby SoCar zone, customers can rent a vehicle through the on-demand service that delivers the vehicle to their desired location. Currently, SoCar is also running an event where the delivery fee is waived for rentals over 24 hours when using the on-demand service.
Nam Kyung-ho, head of SoCar’s Business Division, stated, “As the user demographic of car-sharing diversifies, SoCar is being used for a wide range of daily mobility purposes, from travel to dates, business, and hobbies. We will continue to expand our lineup so that customers can travel with the optimal vehicle according to their service usage purpose and preferences.”
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr