Turo Defends Rental Process After Vegas Cybertruck Incident

The CEO of Turo, the largest car-sharing platform in the US, has defended the company's vetting process following a high-profile incident involving a Tesla Cybertruck in Las Vegas. Andre Haddad told CNBC that the renters, who were "decorated servicemen," passed all security checks and could have easily rented from any traditional car rental company. Turo's presence in the Cybertruck rental market has grown significantly since Tesla's launch, with some vehicles initially listing for $1,000 per day.

The platform has become a go-to option for those wanting to experience the futuristic vehicle without its nearly $100,000 price tag, though current daily rates have dropped to around $174 in some areas. The company, which operates like an "Airbnb for cars," has built an impressive track record with over 27 million trips booked and a serious incident rate of less than 0.1%. Despite this safety record, Turo acknowledged in a March 2024 filing that it "cannot conclusively verify the identity of all guests" or predict their actions. The platform employs a sophisticated screening process utilizing over 50 data sources and a proprietary "Turo Risk Score" to evaluate potential renters.

Source: Business Insider Africa, 2024