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By the same token the issues which Uber faces really have very little to do with publicity and everything to do with operating at a substantial and constant los
by QAPereo 9y ago
By the same token the issues which Uber faces really have very little to do with publicity and everything to do with operating at a substantial and constant loss, all bet on a dream of automation which is probably decades away. Uber with drivers simply doesn't work as a profitable business, and the self driving cars they need are simply not going to be here in time to save them. The rest is more or less academic.
- booleandilemma 9y agoDoesn't Amazon operate on a loss? Doesn't it not matter as long as there is a long term potential for profit?
- tinbad 9y agoPeople have said the same about FB and Amazon. I agree that they wont be able to stay at loss for ever, however once the cheap cash runs out there's nothing stopping them from bumping up the rates a bit and/or growing less aggressively. Yes, they will loose x% of users, but the ones that stay will be served at a profit. At this point, Uber is likely too big to fail. Anecdotally, I have used Uber from the beginning and never even bothered to install anything else just because there was no compelling reason to, I don't see that be different for many users.
- jmckib 9y agoI would recommend installing Lyft as well if it's available in your area. Depending on where I am, usually one service or the other is cheaper, sometimes significantly.
- AOsborn 9y agoFair viewpoint. I agree with you that this looks like the longer term business plan. However, multiple rounds of investors disagree and have come to the table and bet their cash. This will be interesting to watch unfold. To extend the runway will cost an increasing amount. However, as the investment from influential investors increases so does the ability of Uber to influence government policy and actually push through self-driving.