Socar签署自动驾驶租赁产业MOU但未披露商业订单或量化收入

Socar (403550) is building a comprehensive cooperation framework with its subsidiary Apex Mobility, the Korea Rent-A-Car Business Association Federation, and the Korea Transport Institute to preemptively respond to the commercialization of autonomous driving at home and abroad.
Socar said on the 4th that it had signed a "Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Development of the Autonomous Vehicle Leasing Industry" together with autonomous driving company Apex Mobility, the Korea Rent-A-Car Business Association Federation, and the Korea Transport Institute (KOTI). The signing ceremony held on the 3rd was attended by Park Jae-uk, CEO of Socar and Apex Mobility, Jang Hyuk, Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) of Apex Mobility, Choi Yun-cheol, chairman of the Korea Rent-A-Car Business Association Federation, and Kim Young-chan, president of the Korea Transport Institute.
The MOU centers on cooperation across a broad spectrum, including research and demonstration for developing autonomous vehicle leasing service technology, service platform development, and strengthening operational capabilities. As the commercialization of autonomous driving is imminent, the aim is to build competitiveness together through business cooperation. Specific areas of cooperation include joint research on autonomous vehicle leasing service technology development, the development and advancement of an autonomous vehicle leasing service platform, and the promotion of pilot and demonstration projects for autonomous vehicle leasing services as well as strengthening operational capabilities.
The Korea Rent-A-Car Business Association Federation, the only statutory organization authorized by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport among groups related to the car rental industry, will serve as a channel for gathering opinions across the industry. The Korea Transport Institute plans to present directions for policy development and legal and institutional improvements for the leasing industry in the coming era of autonomous driving through research demonstration and data provision. Socar and Apex Mobility plan to lead the verification and advancement of autonomous vehicle leasing service technology and focus on creating the related ecosystem.
Kim Young-chan, president of the Korea Transport Institute, stressed, "As autonomous driving technology has reached a level of commercialization, Korea also needs a roadmap for autonomous driving services technically and policy-wise." Choi Yun-cheol, chairman of the Korea Rent-A-Car Business Association Federation, also said, "This MOU is significant in that it has laid a practical foundation for cooperation between the industry and technology and research institutions in preparation for the commercialization of autonomous leasing services," adding, "We will gather the expertise of each institution to pursue core tasks such as platform construction, and actively seek institutional improvement measures."
Park Jae-uk, CEO of Socar and Apex Mobility, said, "We expect this agreement to serve as a catalyst for strengthening the competitiveness of the entire leasing service industry, encompassing state-run research institutions," adding, "We will accelerate service advancement through demonstration projects and more going forward."
Meanwhile, Socar is also focusing on securing future technological competitiveness under its goal of transforming into a "full-stack mobility" company beyond car sharing, its existing core business area. To this end, it established the autonomous driving joint venture Apex Mobility in May. Socar and Apex Mobility plan to operate "full sensor kit" vehicles equipped with lidar and cameras to develop a "Korean-style autonomous driving foundation model."