They were hoping for a combination of first-mover advantage and recognizable brand name / known player. If you're used to taking an Uber on occasion, taking an

They were hoping for a combination of first-mover advantage and recognizable brand name / known player. If you're used to taking an Uber on occasion, taking an AutoUber isn't a big deal, just like trying a new coffee at Starbucks. Even if GM is selling L5 autonomous cars to everybody in 2025, they're going to cost as much as a car does. Why buy it when you can pay by the ride? And Uber wants to be the name you think of when summoning a ride.