The car-sharing company SOCAR announced that it will launch a Porsche car-sharing service starting next month. As it is a high-priced sports car costing over 100 million won, there are concerns that a past incident involving SOCAR's 'Avante N total loss accident' could be re-enacted. Therefore, it is anticipated that SOCAR will raise the barriers to usage, but reactions in online communities are skeptical.
According to industry sources on the 24th, SOCAR will unveil the 'Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe' car-sharing service in June. Details about the service area, color, lending conditions, and other user guidelines are expected to be announced in early June. This is the first time a car-sharing company has introduced a high-priced sports car like Porsche. A SOCAR official noted, "This will be a convenient and reasonable way to experience a 'dream car' in everyday life, and we will expand the types of vehicles that can satisfy the expectations and emotions of car enthusiasts."
While there is agreement with this intention in the industry, concerns also arise. This is because the car-sharing service for Hyundai's 'The New Avante N' introduced by SOCAR in 2023 faced total loss accidents and reckless driving incidents from the beginning. SOCAR and Hyundai promoted the value of 'sports cars in everyday life', starting a service so that anyone could experience the N vehicles. However, due to the nature of the high-performance vehicles in the N brand, it was difficult for ordinary drivers to operate them, leading to total loss accidents from the initial phase of the service.
High-performance sports cars like Porsche are harder for ordinary drivers to operate than the Avante N. There are also concerns that consumer burdens increase, such as drivers having to pay the full repair costs in the event of an accident. SOCAR currently operates a system that exempts customers who pay a deductible when renting a vehicle from liability for damages in case of accidents; however, reasons such as reckless driving are not eligible for exemption. The base price of the Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe starts at 171.1 million won, and fully optioned models can exceed 200 million won.
SOCAR is expected to raise the barriers to usage for the Porsche car-sharing service. While SOCAR's basic usage requirement is 21 years and older, it is likely to be raised to 30 years and older due to the high-performance sports car. Although the initial age requirement for the Avante N was set at 26, it was raised to 30 due to ongoing reckless driving incidents. Additionally, car usage will likely depend on the 'SOCAR Club' grade, which offers differential benefits based on accumulated mileage.
However, some have raised the opinion that increasing age restrictions will be virtually ineffective if drivers do not comply. An online community posted a photo last month with the title 'SOCAR Avante N total loss from 2009' showing the Avante N damaged beyond recognition.
A SOCAR official said, "Although specific usage guidelines have not yet been announced, we are considering operational plans taking into account factors that may be concerning."