Discover how Japan’s Gen Z is sharing Ferraris and other supercars through co‑ownership, cutting costs and reviving the thrill of driving. Learn more today!
Owning a brand‑new Ferrari or Lamborghini is out of reach for most young Japanese, but a new co‑ownership model is letting them get behind the wheel without breaking the bank.
What is Rendez‑Vous?
Rendez‑Vous is a Tokyo‑based platform that groups up to five friends to jointly purchase a used luxury or supercar. Members share the depreciation, insurance, parking, and maintenance costs, and each gets a set number of days per year to drive the vehicle.
How the sharing works
For example, a group might buy a 2012 Ferrari 360 Modena for ¥20 million (≈ $126,000). After a year the car’s value drops to ¥17 million. The ¥3 million depreciation is split among the five owners, meaning each pays roughly ¥600,000 (≈ $3,800) plus fees for parking, insurance and taxes. In return, every member receives 50 days of usage annually.
Cost advantage over outright purchase
Traditional ownership in Japan can cost upwards of ¥2 million per year when you factor in loan repayments, mandatory inspections and high insurance premiums. The co‑ownership model turns the expense into a subscription‑style payment that is often half the price of buying a new sports car outright.
Popularity among young drivers
Rendez‑Vous reports a waiting list of about 3,500 people, most of them in their early 20s. Ryota Asaoka, the company’s spokesperson, says, “Car ownership is simply too expensive for twenty‑somethings. We want to lower the financial barrier so they can enjoy driving.” A recent survey found that 33 % of Japanese 20‑year‑olds are indifferent to owning a car, and a Toyota study highlighted purchase and upkeep costs as the main deterrents.
Broader shift in car‑ownership mindset
Co‑ownership, subscription services like DriveShare, and peer‑to‑peer rentals are reshaping how Japan’s Generation Z views mobility. The focus has moved from possessing a vehicle to experiencing the thrill of driving a supercar, even if it means handing the keys to a friend after a few weeks.
As these models gain traction, they could help reverse the steady decline in car‑ownership rates while keeping the dream of driving a Ferrari alive for a new generation.