Nov. 21, 2025 | The week’s top stories and Turo’s Bassem El-Rahimy on the future of car ownership
About this episode
Bassam El Rahimi, head of Turo Canada, discusses the evolving landscape of car ownership and the shift towards access over ownership. He highlights how rising costs and changing consumer preferences, especially among younger Canadians, are making traditional car ownership less appealing. Turo's new long-term access model offers flexibility without the burdens of maintenance or long-term contracts, catering to those who need a vehicle for specific periods. The episode also touches on the role of dealerships in this new ecosystem and the potential for reducing waste by better utilizing existing vehicles.
B.C. scraps EV mandate; NACTOY finalists announced; Jeep Recon EV. Plus, Head of Turo Canada Bassem El-Rahimy talks about the car-sharing company’s core mission, the future of auto ownership, affordability, mobility, access over ownership, and more.
affordability
"On this show, El Rahimi talks about the car sharing company's core mission..."
It means how much it costs to buy and keep a car, so people can decide if it fits their budget.
Affordability refers to the cost of acquiring and maintaining a vehicle, including purchase price, insurance, fuel, and upkeep.
future of auto ownership
"On this show, El Rahimi talks about the car sharing company's core mission..."
It’s about how people might stop owning cars and instead use services that let them drive when needed.
This concept explores how car ownership models are shifting toward shared, subscription, and electric options rather than traditional ownership.
Turo Canada
"On this show, El Rahimi talks about the car sharing company's core mission..."
Turo Canada is a company that lets people rent cars from other people instead of buying one.
Turo Canada is the Canadian branch of Turo, a peer‑to‑peer car sharing platform that allows users to rent vehicles from private owners.
car sharing
"On this show, El Rahimi talks about the car sharing company's core mission..."
Car sharing lets people use a car when they need it without buying one, like renting from friends or a company.
Car sharing is a model where users rent vehicles for short periods from private owners or companies, reducing the need to own a car.
access over ownership
"On this show, El Rahimi talks about the car sharing company's core mission..."
It means you can use a car when you want it, instead of owning one all the time.
This idea emphasizes having the ability to use a vehicle when needed rather than owning one permanently.
mobility
"On this show, El Rahimi talks about the car sharing company's core mission..."
It’s about how people can get from one place to another without hassle.
Mobility is the ability to move easily and efficiently between places, often discussed in terms of transportation options.
2035 electric vehicle goal
"sales goal of all vehicles being electric by 2035 is no longer realistic..."
It means that by 2035, everyone should be buying electric cars instead of gasoline ones.
The target that all vehicle sales in a region will be electric by the year 2035, aiming to reduce emissions.
electric vehicle purchase rebate program
"British Columbia abandoned its electric vehicle purchase rebate program this week..."
It’s a money‑back offer from the government when you buy an electric car, to make it cheaper.
A government incentive that provides cash rebates to consumers who buy electric vehicles, aimed at encouraging EV adoption.
zero emission vehicle sales mandate
"British Columbia abandoned its electric vehicle purchase rebate program this week..."
It’s a rule that says a lot of cars sold must be electric or have no exhaust fumes.
A regulatory requirement that a certain percentage of vehicle sales must be zero‑emission vehicles, such as EVs or hybrids.
North American car truck and utility vehicle of the year awards
"Finalists for the 2026 North American car truck and utility vehicle of the year awards were announced..."
It’s a yearly award that picks the best trucks and SUVs sold in North America.
An annual awards program that recognizes the best trucks and utility vehicles sold in North America.
Ram 2500
"the Ram 1500 Hemi Ram 2500..."
The Ram 2500 is a larger pickup truck that can tow big trailers and carry heavy loads.
The Ram 2500 is a mid‑size pickup truck from Ford’s Ram brand, designed for heavy towing and payload with options like a 6.7L Power Stroke V8 diesel.
Ram 1500 Hemi
"two Stellantis brands and Nissan lead the roster of vehicles, the Ram 1500 Hemi Ram 2500..."
The Ram 1500 Hemi is a big pickup truck that can pull heavy loads and has a powerful V8 engine.
The Ram 1500 Hemi is a heavy‑duty pickup truck from Ford’s Ram brand, powered by a 5.7L Hemi V8 engine known for its torque and towing capability.
Stellantis
"Finalists for the 2026 North American car truck and utility vehicle of the year awards were announced earlier this week, two Stellantis brands..."
Stellantis is a big car company that owns many different brands such as Ram and Jeep.
Stellantis is a multinational automotive manufacturer formed from the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA Group, owning brands like Ram, Jeep, Dodge, and others.
Jeep Recon
"Jeep is taking battery power off road with the 2026 Recon. It's the brand's first trail rated electric vehicle."
The Recon is an electric SUV that can go off‑road, thanks to its strong motor and rugged design.
The Jeep Recon is a trail‑rated electric SUV from Jeep, built to handle rugged terrain with off‑road capability and a 650 horsepower motor.
trail rated electric vehicle
"It's the brand's first trail rated electric vehicle."
It’s an electric car that can handle trails and rough terrain because it’s built to be tough.
An electric vehicle that meets specific off‑road performance standards, such as ground clearance and durability.
battery power off road
"Jeep is taking battery power off road with the 2026 Recon."
It means using an electric car’s battery to go off the road, like on trails or rough ground.
Using electric battery power to drive vehicles designed for off‑road use, combining EV technology with rugged terrain capability.
long term access model
"And that's really where a new offering comes into play. Turo's now offering Canadians the freedom of having a car when they need one without the burden of ownership maintenance or depreciation."
Instead of buying a car, you can rent it for weeks or months and only pay for the time you need it. This way you avoid big bills like a down payment or maintenance costs.
A business model where customers pay for vehicle use on a short‑term basis, without the upfront costs or long‑term commitment of ownership.
Tesla
"So for folks listening if you haven't had a chance to use TORREOT you know from using TORREOT spot for people can give the thrill of a weekend in a Tesla, a luxury SUV for a winter getaway."
Tesla makes electric cars that are popular for their speed and tech features. They’re a well-known brand in the automotive world.
Tesla, Inc. is an American electric vehicle manufacturer known for its high-performance cars and cutting-edge technology.
TORREOT
"So for folks listening if you haven't had a chance to use TORREOT you know from using TORREOT spot for people can give the thrill of a weekend in a Tesla, a luxury SUV for a winter getaway."
TORREOT is an app that lets you rent cars for a few days instead of buying one. It’s useful if you only need a car sometimes, like for a holiday trip.
TORREOT is a subscription-based car rental service that lets users book vehicles for short periods, often used for weekend getaways or special occasions.
Request an Explanation
Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.
Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.
Want to learn more?
Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.
Help improve this episode
See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark. Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.