Turo, a car rental platform that connects drivers with renters, is facing a crisis after two deadly incidents involving vehicles rented through its marketplace. The attacks in Las Vegas and New Orleans have raised questions about the company’s ability to screen and regulate its users.
Turo calls itself a “peer-to-peer car sharing service,” allowing users to rent cars directly from owners. This approach has attracted many drivers who would otherwise drive their own cars, but some critics argue that it lacks traditional safety measures.
The attacks on Wednesday in Las Vegas involved the Tesla Cybertruck, while another incident occurred earlier this week in New Orleans. Both incidents were confirmed by Turo as having used vehicles rented through its platform.
Turo has a robust trust and safety process, which includes screening renters and applying risk scores to bookings. However, the company acknowledges that there is always a risk of financial and brand damage from fatalities and other incidents caused by vehicles on its platform.
The attacks could have significant implications for Turo’s business, as it prepares for an initial public offering (IPO). The company’s IPO prospectus warns that it may be subject to liability for the activities of hosts and guests, including car rentals used for crime.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/02/tech/what-is-turo/index.html