Japan’s shared supercar service lets five friends co‑own a luxury sports car for a year, covering depreciation, insurance and taxes. Affordable thrills—join now!
Owning a supercar has traditionally been a dream reserved for the ultra‑wealthy, especially when the vehicle is brand‑new. A Japanese startup is flipping that model on its head with a service that lets a group of five young enthusiasts share the thrill of a high‑performance car without the prohibitive price tag.
How the Rendez‑Vous Model Works
The service, called Rendez‑Vous, does more than simply split the purchase price into five equal parts. Instead, the five members pay an annual fee that covers the car’s expected depreciation over the next 12 months, plus parking, routine maintenance, insurance and all applicable taxes. In return, each member is allocated 50 days of usage per year.
What’s on Offer
Rendez‑Vous focuses exclusively on pre‑owned vehicles. The company buys each car outright before adding it to its rental catalogue. Its fleet ranges from classic 1950s models to contemporary supercars such as the Ferrari 360 Modena, Lamborghini Huracán and McLaren 570S. Because the cars are already used, the entry cost is considerably lower than buying new.
One member, Kanji Hiraiwa, describes his experience as feeling like a co‑owner of a used Ferrari 360 Modena for the entire year. He enjoys the freedom of driving the iconic machine on his allotted days while the service handles all the logistical headaches.
Why It Resonates With Young Japanese Drivers
According to a recent survey, 33% of Japanese adults in their twenties show little interest in owning a car at all. A separate study by Toyota identified high purchase and upkeep costs as the primary deterrents. Rendez‑Vous aims to lower that barrier.
“The cost of owning a car is too high for people in their twenties,” says Ryota Asaoka, a spokesperson for Rendez‑Vous. “We want to minimise the financial burden so our customers can simply enjoy the pleasure of driving.”
The concept has struck a chord: the waiting list for the service currently stands at roughly 3,500 eager applicants, many of whom are eager to experience a supercar without draining their savings.
Potential Impact on Japan’s Car‑Ownership Landscape
Industry observers, including Carscoops, note that shared‑ownership models could help stem the decline in traditional car purchases among younger generations. By offering a subscription‑style access to premium vehicles, services like Rendez‑Vous provide an attractive alternative that aligns with shifting consumer attitudes toward ownership and mobility.
As more young drivers seek flexible, cost‑effective ways to enjoy high‑performance cars, shared supercar services may become a lasting fixture in Japan’s automotive market.