Korean car-sharing startup Popping Car is planning to enter the lucrative Southeast Asian markets of Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The company is gearing up by preparing to resume services previously halted due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
As the pandemic-caused exigencies fade, the number of domestic and international travelers appears to gradually increase, much to the relief of the mobility startup. Popping Car’s car-sharing services have suffered significantly due to the COVID-19-caused drop in demand, so the company is looking for a way to make vehicle rental and procurement more flexible.
The company is planning to utilize its international networks
While participating in the 2021 Global Challenge Program, Popping Car formed international networks. Since the participation of the company in the Global Challenge program last year, the network for overseas expansion, which Corona previously limited, has grown. The company now wishes to promote overseas expansion by utilizing these networks formed during the program.
Popping Car debuted its rental and sharing service in April 2019. Its platform benefits both commuters and advertisers. Unlike other car-sharing services, it only charges users for fuel. The startup collaborates with hotels and businesses and provides B2C and B2B services.
The startup, a spinoff of Korea’s popular car-sharing service Bemycar, offers a basic service concept in which the shared vehicle’s exterior is used as a billboard for advertisers. As a result, users’ rental costs are reduced, and advertisers can take advantage of mobile marketing opportunities.
The startup has over 150 advertising motor vehicles, and its brokerage platform has connected 30,000 cars across the country. Its car-sharing service is available to users who want to rent out cars at a third of the cost of competitors.
Car users are exposed to various products through mobility advertising campaigns and are provided with car rental discounts. If the user becomes a member, the service is free for up to three days after the first rental.
Popping Car, which currently operates in Seoul to provide vehicles for customers visiting there, plans to reorganize its business over the summer and begin aggressive action in the fall, anticipating that the opportunity to start its overseas services appears to be coming from this summer vacation.
