The Back to the Future DeLorean was probably the first time I noticed a cool car as a kid. The “time machine” was something of a wonder filled with dreams and possibilities. Everyone talked about how it would be so wild to be able to actually see this car in real life. At this year’s Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) the dream came true. Parked outside the Thompson Hotel was the beautifully crafted machine and not just for show, it’s driveable. And regular folks like us can book it for a drive here in Toronto through TURO—a car sharing company.
Ken Kapalowski, owner of the DeLorean, decided to share his love for this iconic car through TURO after learning about the company’s purpose and mission.
We had a chance to find out how he, and Cedric Mathieu, Managing Director of Turo Canada, are making many car (and movie) lovers dreams come true.
When did you first fall in love with this iconic car?
Ken: Ever since I saw Back to the Future as a kid, I knew I had to have this car. I was eight years old and watching it roll off of Doc’s truck.
How did you get a hold of this amazing car?
Ken: I used to work at a garage doing emissions repairs and going to pick up parts for car repairs, and movie cars always fascinated me, DeLoreans specifically because of Back to the Future. One day I saw one at another garage while I was out picking up parts and I freaked out. I knew then and there that I had to have a DeLorean. When I turned 21, I bought one.
The reaction to this Back to the Future Delorean must be great to see. What are people most curious about?
Ken: They honk, give us a thumbs up, camera phones come out. Everyone gets excited to see it, which I love! I use any excuse to take it for a spin because it’s always an adventure to drive. I also like to think that it makes anyone who’s driving it five percent rockstar because people are associating you with a really nostalgic film.
On the flip side, there are also many who think I’m kind of crazy for driving it. “Why don’t you trailer it?” they ask. But at the end of the day, it’s a car, not a Picasso painting. It’s meant to be driven. That’s half the fun.
How and why did you get involved with Turo?
Ken: I had used Turo.com to book cars while visiting the U.S., before putting my DeLorean on the platform, and had many positive experiences. Then I saw that there was another DeLorean available to book and I thought it was an interesting concept. I’m already a big fan of Airbnb, and have had inconsistent experience with traditional car rental companies, so I wanted to give the car-sharing economy a try.
It’s cool to be able to get a unique car that’s owned and loved by someone. And it’s a way to live as a local and have an adventure with your car… it’s not just a vanilla experience. Sharing these unique experiences is what I find exciting!
The Back to the Future DeLorean is just one car available on Turo. What else is available on the peer-to-peer car-sharing platform?
Cedric: Our hosts have listed a wide range of vehicles on the platform, so you can find almost any car that suits your needs. Whether you’re looking for an affordable car to get you from point A to B, a convertible for a scenic drive down the coastline, a truck for moving big items, or a luxury vehicle like that Porsche or Tesla you’ve been dying to drive. Most importantly, these cars are usually cheaper than a traditional car rental, so you know you’re getting a great deal, while also putting some extra dollars in your neighbour’s pocket.
Turo is expanding quickly too. Our peer-to-peer platform is currently available in Alberta, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia and you’ll find everything from a vintage Ford convertible to several Tesla Model 3 cars.
There are many reasons for car owners to be involved. Can you tell us what reasons you've heard of?
Cedric: Car hosts earn upwards of $700 each month by sharing their vehicle on Turo just a few days. That income can make car ownership accessible to more people, and also, it plays a role in the car you can afford to purchase. Instead of settling for your second choice, sharing your car on Turo can allow you to get your dream car instead.
We recently conducted a survey with Angus Reid and the findings revealed that Canadian cars are only used four percent of the time. Why not make better use of this asset you own rather than letting it sit idle and depreciate?
What's been your favourite drive so far?
Cedric: The Trans Canada Highway from Calgary to Lake Louise. It was July 2016 and we had just launched in Canada; took a few days off after the craziness of our launch. I booked an amazing, yellow Camaro Super Sport from one of our hosts in Calgary and hit the road to Lake Louise to meet with my friends who flew in from France. Great memories.
What's one thing you'd really want people to know about Turo?
Cedric: The concept of car ownership has changed and Turo’s success is proof of that. There are incredible benefits for both guests and hosts including:
Benefits for guests:
- Turo offers a unique selection of cars that you can’t find anywhere else. You can rent a sports car, a Jeep, a Mustang, a Porsche, an electric vehicle, etc.—in short, there’s plenty of versatility within the Turo platform. More importantly, you’re not left wondering what type of sedan or economy car you’ll be driving like you traditionally would with car rental companies.
- Travellers get the car they want at a great price; The cost to get a car on Turo is up to 35 percent lower than getting a car from a traditional car rental company.
- There are unique filter options available when searching for the perfect car for your needs. For example, you can search for cars that are pet-friendly, have camping or ski equipment, or comes ready-to-go with a child seat for your kids.
Benefits for hosts:
- Turo allows car owners to turn their idle cars into an earnings engine. Turo Hosts make $756/month on average sharing their cars only eight to 10 days a month.
- Listing your car on Turo is safe - every trip comes standard with a $2M liability insurance and full damage protection for the car with no deductible for the host.