Page 172 - Social Enterprise A New Business Paradigm for Thailand

CEO of Renault Group, with the aim of transforming the traditional automotive business by
focusing on mobility services, energy, and data management. Mobilize was founded in response

to the inefficiency of private vehicle usage, recognizing that up to 90% of a car’s lifespan is spent
idle, leading to a loss of up to 50% of its value within just three years (Mobilize, n.d.) 118 . To address
this issue, Mobilize introduced innovations designed to maximize vehicle utilization and promote
sustainable urban transport. These include a range of electric-powered services integrated with
principles of the circular economy. By doing so, Mobilize contributes to carbon emission reduction
and supports the development of more sustainable urban environments (HEC, 2018).

Backed by Renault Group, an enterprise that has historically received support from the French
government, Mobilize benefits from extensive expertise in automotive engineering, innovation,

and sustainability. This foundation enabled the development of a broad suite of services such as
car-sharing, bi-directional charging technology, and the Vehicle-as-a-Service (VaaS) model. These
offerings allow customers to access vehicles for varying durations, from several years to just a few
minutes, through products such as rentals, subscriptions, and short- or mid-term leases (Renault
Group, 2012). As a result, Mobilize has positioned itself as a leader in electric mobility, battery
recycling, and energy storage, core elements in the global transition to a low-carbon circular
economy. Nonetheless, the company continues to face the challenge of shifting consumer and
business mindsets away from car ownership toward embracing mobility as a service (Renault
Group, n.d.). 119

5.3.3 Optique Solidaire (France)
Addressing the unmet need for affordable vision care among France’s aging population, Optique
Solidaire emerged in 2011 as a social initiative supported by L’Occitane, the renowned French
cosmetics brand. Its mission was to make quality eyeglasses accessible to people over the age of
60 with modest incomes, offering them at just one-tenth the market price (Le Guide de la Vue,
2012). In 2020, this effort was further supported by the government through a supplementary
health insurance program (ACS). Optique Solidaire provided a range of vision services, including

eye screenings, examinations, and prescription glasses, to vulnerable groups, especially low-
income seniors who often lacked access to healthcare. With millions of French citizens still living
below the poverty line (Actiontank, n.d.), the program helped bring these individuals back into
the healthcare system, allowing early diagnosis of eye conditions such as cataracts. It also
mobilized a broad coalition of stakeholders: over 500 opticians, 13 health insurance companies,

118 From Mobilize within Renault Group, for enhanced benefits, by Mobilize, n.d., retrieved on February 14, 2025,
(https://www.mobilize.com/en/explore-mobilize/mobilize-x-renault-group/)
119 From Mobilize, writing the future of mobility, by Renault Group, n.d., retrieved on February 14, 2025,
(https://www.renaultgroup.com/en/nos-marques/mobilize)
139