An online car rental platform, Turo, is facing heightened scrutiny following two significant incidents on Wednesday that involved vehicles rented through its service. Turo operates similarly to Airbnb, allowing individual car owners, referred to as “hosts,” to list their cars for rental. Users can rent these vehicles directly through the website, with transactions managed by Turo.
The company confirmed its involvement in both occurrences through an online statement, expressing condolences for the victims and their families. “It is with a heavy heart that we confirm that this morning’s horrific attack in New Orleans and this afternoon’s Tesla Cybertruck explosion in Las Vegas both involved vehicles rented on Turo,” the statement read.
Turo asserted that the individuals who rented the vehicles did not have criminal backgrounds that would typically indicate a security threat. They emphasized that the renters possessed valid driver’s licenses, underwent clean background checks, and had been honorably discharged from the U.S. military. “They could have boarded any plane, checked into a hotel, or rented a car or truck from a traditional vehicle rental chain,” Turo explained, suggesting that these individuals would not have raised any red flags with security officials.
Earlier reports indicated that Turo was linked to a rental truck that drove into a crowd in New Orleans and a Tesla Cybertruck that exploded outside Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, although authorities have preliminarily stated that there appears to be no direct connection between the two incidents.
Founded in 2009 as RelayRides, Turo became part of a wave of peer-to-peer platforms aiming to disrupt traditional rental markets. While the service promotes a sense of safety with claims to screen each guest, it has faced criticisms about security over the years. Incidents involving the theft of vehicles rented through Turo or its rival, Getaround, have raised concerns, although the company maintains such events remain rare.
As of late September 2023, Turo reported around 150,000 active hosts and 350,000 active vehicle listings worldwide, serving 3.5 million active guests.
In light of these recent events, Turo’s ongoing commitment to enhancing safety measures and user trust will be vital. It underscores the importance of rigorous vetting processes to ensure incidents like these do not tarnish the reputation of peer-to-peer rental services, which have otherwise provided convenient and innovative options for consumers. The company’s proactive communication in responding to these incidents reflects its understanding of the heightened concern surrounding security in such platforms and a dedication to addressing these issues head-on.
While the incidents are tragic, they also present an opportunity for Turo and similar services to take further steps in ensuring the safety and security of their users, thereby reinforcing public confidence in their business model.