by Japanese startup offers young enthusiasts shared ownership of supercars
Purchasing a supercar, even a used one, is an extremely expensive hobby. A Japanese company believes it has found a solution for young enthusiasts who still want to be part of this world. The idea is simple: give up sole ownership, gather friends, and share the car among themselves.
The car-sharing service called Rendez-Vous works somewhat differently than one might expect. A group of five people does not simply split the full cost of a supercar five ways. Instead, the group pays for shared ownership of the car for one year, and the participants only split the expected depreciation over those twelve months equally among themselves.
How it works in practice
Kanji Hiraiwa, who spoke with Nikkei Asia, is one of those using this service. The 24-year-old can call himself a co-owner of a used Ferrari 360 Modena for the next year. Thanks to the service, each co-owner has the right to use the car for up to 50 days per year. The cost includes parking, maintenance, insurance premiums, and all applicable taxes.
Rendez-Vous works exclusively with used cars, purchasing them before adding them to its fleet. Models range from classic cars from the 1950s to modern sports cars and supercars. According to the report, the service has proven particularly popular among young enthusiasts in Japan and has created a waiting list of approximately 3,500 people.
A supercar for less money
“The cost of owning a car is too high for people in their 20s,” Rendez-Vous representative Ryota Asaoka told the publication. “Our hope is to reduce the financial burden as much as possible so they can enjoy driving cars.”
This is an interesting idea that could undoubtedly become a good way for young drivers to drive their dream supercar without burning their down payment for housing. Such services could also help counteract the steady decline in Japanese interest in car ownership.
A recent survey showed that 33 percent of Japanese 20-year-olds are not interested in owning a car. A separate study by Toyota notes that car and maintenance costs are among the key reasons why locals avoid traditional ownership.
This approach to shared ownership could become not only a way to satisfy a passion for speed and luxury but also a kind of social experiment. It allows young people, who often lack large capital but have the desire and time, to join the supercar culture without exorbitant costs. Moreover, it could foster the formation of new communities around shared interests, where car ownership becomes not a burden but a source of shared experiences and travels. In an environment where traditional car ownership is losing popularity among young people, innovative models like Rendez-Vous can offer a viable alternative that combines dreams with practicality.
