Question

You're starting a new franchise in Japan of the TURO the formerly RelayRides, a company that operates a peer-to-peer carsharing marketplace.

1- Describe the Brand and all the Product Decisions you have to make to successfully start the business in Japan.

2- SWOT analysis for TURO Japan

Answer 1

TURO is a car sharing service started in United States. They are a leading provider for a platform which enables drivers and passengers meet and share their rides.

In a locality where the ride costs are high with limited number of cabs on the road, car sharing is a new approach taken by individuals to ensure cost savings, time savings and environmental benefits. TUO formerly RelayRides is one such operator.

Best features of TURO:

1. Cars available at cheap rates
2. Additional income to car owners
3. Dynamic Hourly payment for usage

How it works: Car owners can list the cars on the website when they are not using it. The cars will contain all necessary car related documentation. Interested travelers can look up for the cars in their locality using iOS or Android App or Web portal and get the car of their chose based on the hourly pay. Car owners will list the timings from when the cars will be available to use. Since all members are registered using Social Security Number, owners and users can be easily tracked.

SWOT for Japan:

Strengths:

• Alternative source of income
• High usage of car
• Flexibility in time for sharing car for others
• Flexibility to users to choose car from wide variety
• Easy to use portal and App
• Easy payment mechanism
• 24 x 7 Helpline service

Weakness

• Since cars are cheaper in Japan, lot of car owners are present
• New concept, owners maybe hesitant to share cars initially

Opportunities

• New venture in new country
• Provide alternate mode of income and transportation

Threats

• Existing well developed transport infrastructure
• High Car rental costs
• Low owners sharing cars