They began with black cars because that was the original idea from Garrett Camp. Something on the scale of UberX wouldn't be fathomed by the Uber folks for seve

They began with black cars because that was the original idea from Garrett Camp. Something on the scale of UberX wouldn't be fathomed by the Uber folks for several years yet. Then, competition showed them the way [1]. "Now, an important clarification: Unlike Lyft and Sidecar, the so-called ridesharing companies that were at that very moment making their debuts in San Francisco, the original UberX accommodated only professional drivers who held taxi licenses. Kalanick envisioned a fleet of black Toyota Priuses to be driven by the same types of licensed chauffeurs who were behind the wheels of other Uber vehicles."[1] Also worth noting, black car drivers Uber used were licensed, just different from cab drivers. [1] The Upstarts by Brad Stone http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29905580-the-upstarts http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29905580-the-upstarts