Perodua is expanding its presence beyond vehicle manufacturing with the launch of UCar-e, a new app-based car-sharing service created specifically for university communities. The initiative is being introduced in collaboration with three Malaysian higher education institutions: Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (UTM-MJIIT).

The service is part of Perodua’s broader “Mobility as a Lifestyle” strategy, which focuses on providing flexible transportation solutions rather than relying solely on traditional vehicle ownership. Through UCar-e, students and university employees will be able to access Perodua vehicles on demand using a dedicated mobile application.

To kick off the programme, Perodua is deploying 50 vehicles across the participating campuses. Users will be able to locate available cars through the app, unlock them for use, and return them to designated parking areas after completing their journeys. The service is designed to support convenient travel within university grounds, such as commuting between residential colleges, lecture halls, and other campus facilities.

Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad officially introduced the initiative during a launch ceremony held at Inasis Perodua in UUM. The event was attended by UUM Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Ahmad Martadha Mohamed and other university representatives.

Beyond providing transportation, the programme also incorporates a student development component. Perodua plans to appoint selected students as vehicle management agents responsible for overseeing cleanliness, monitoring fuel levels, and ensuring the cars remain in good condition. These students will receive commission-based compensation, allowing them to gain practical work experience while earning additional income.

According to Perodua, the initiative offers valuable exposure to entrepreneurship and operational management, helping students develop skills that could benefit them in future careers.

The company expects the UCar-e service to begin operations in June 2026, with implementation taking place gradually based on each university’s readiness and deployment schedule.

Perodua believes the programme reflects changing attitudes toward mobility, particularly among younger generations. As factors such as vehicle maintenance expenses, parking limitations, and traffic congestion continue to influence transportation choices, many Gen Z consumers are increasingly prioritising convenient access to mobility services over owning a personal vehicle.

With UCar-e, Perodua aims to address these evolving preferences while creating a smarter, more accessible transportation ecosystem within Malaysian university campuses.