SOCAR Ceases Car-Sharing Operations in Malaysia After Eight-Year Run

After eight years of operations in the local market, the on-demand car-sharing platform SOCAR has announced it will shut down its services in Malaysia. According to notifications sent to users, the platform will officially cease all operations on 31 August 2026.

According to the original publisher, the company has already implemented immediate changes to its app as it prepares for the shutdown. Effective 15 August 2026, the SOCAR application no longer accepts new monthly pass subscriptions or wallet top-ups. For users who currently hold existing subscriptions, the company has confirmed that it will issue refunds on a prorated basis. Furthermore, customers with remaining balances in their digital wallets are eligible to request a full refund.

Since its official launch in 2018, SOCAR established a distinct presence in the local transport sector by deploying a fleet of vehicles across strategic hotspots, including shopping malls, hotels, transportation hubs, and condominium parking facilities. The service allowed users to rent vehicles by the hour through an app-based management system, offering an alternative to traditional car rental services.

Despite the exit of the main SOCAR platform, the company’s peer-to-peer service, TREVO, will continue to operate in Malaysia. While SOCAR functioned as an on-demand rental service, TREVO operates on an Airbnb-style model that enables private vehicle owners to rent out their cars to others for weekend and holiday trips, providing a different approach to personal mobility and vehicle sharing.

The closure of SOCAR marks the end of a significant player in Malaysia’s gig-economy-driven transport space. For many urban commuters, the service provided a flexible, app-based solution for short-term travel without the long-term commitments of traditional rental agencies. The transition highlights the ongoing consolidation within the local transport tech sector as providers shift focus toward peer-to-peer models.