Perodua has taken a significant step into the mobility services space with the introduction of UCar-e, a new app-based car rental platform designed specifically for university students and staff.
Launched under the company’s “Mobility as a Lifestyle” initiative, the service aims to provide convenient access to vehicles without the need for ownership, catering to changing transportation habits among younger Malaysians.
The pilot programme will begin at three local higher education institutions: Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (UTM MJIIT).
According to Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad, the company will initially deploy 50 vehicles across the participating campuses.
The service allows students and university staff to locate, reserve, unlock, and use Perodua vehicles directly through the UCar-e mobile application. The cars will be stationed at designated parking locations within campus grounds, making them easily accessible for short trips between hostels, lecture halls, administrative buildings, and other facilities.
The initiative was officially launched at Inasis Perodua in UUM, with the event attended by UUM Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Ahmad Martadha Mohamed.
Dato’ Sri Zainal explained that the platform has been designed with simplicity and convenience in mind, enabling users to quickly find available vehicles and return them to designated parking zones after use.
Students to Play Key Role in Operations
One of the unique aspects of the programme is the involvement of students in managing the vehicle fleet.
Perodua is working closely with participating universities to appoint students as vehicle management agents responsible for maintaining vehicle cleanliness, monitoring fuel levels, and ensuring the cars remain in good condition.
In return, these students will receive commission-based earnings, creating an additional income opportunity while exposing them to practical business and operational skills.
Perodua believes the initiative can also serve as a platform for entrepreneurship development by giving students first-hand experience in managing mobility services and customer-facing operations.
Service Expected to Roll Out from June
The UCar-e programme is expected to commence from June 2026, although deployment timelines will vary according to each university’s readiness and implementation schedule.
The introduction of the platform forms part of Perodua’s broader strategy to expand beyond traditional vehicle manufacturing and ownership models into mobility solutions that align with evolving consumer preferences.
Catering to a New Generation of Users
Perodua noted that mobility trends among younger consumers are changing, particularly among Generation Z, who increasingly prioritise convenience, flexibility, and accessibility over vehicle ownership.
Rising vehicle maintenance costs, limited parking availability, and growing traffic congestion have encouraged many young adults to explore alternative transportation options that offer the benefits of personal mobility without the long-term financial commitments associated with owning a car.
Through UCar-e, Perodua hopes to address these changing needs by providing an affordable and practical transportation solution while simultaneously introducing a new mobility ecosystem within university campuses.
The initiative also marks another milestone in Perodua’s ongoing transformation from a conventional automotive manufacturer into a provider of broader mobility services, reflecting the company’s vision of making transportation more accessible, flexible, and lifestyle-oriented for future generations.
