Charles Esther
Uber’s CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, has revealed that he is a proud owner of a Tesla, calling it a “great car.” Speaking at the World Economic Summit in Washington, Khosrowshahi expressed admiration for the vehicle’s self-driving capabilities.
Despite the rise of autonomous vehicles, particularly Tesla’s robotaxi plans, Khosrowshahi is confident about Uber’s place in the future of transportation.
Khosrowshahi’s Take on Robotaxis
Khosrowshahi downplayed the potential competition from Tesla’s robotaxis.
He told Semafor editor-in-chief Ben Smith that he does not believe the autonomous ride-hailing space will see a “winner-take-all” scenario.
While the media often portrays such competition as dramatic, Khosrowshahi pointed out that the transportation industry is worth trillions of dollars, and there will be enough room for multiple players to succeed.
He noted that the rise of autonomous vehicles could, in fact, lead to the widespread adoption of ridesharing services over personal car ownership, creating further opportunities for Uber.
Uber’s Potential Collaboration with Tesla
In a more optimistic tone, Khosrowshahi expressed interest in collaborating with Tesla, saying Uber would “love to work with” Elon Musk’s company.
The Uber CEO’s positive stance on Tesla’s autonomous vehicle technology aligns with the growing interest in self-driving cars and their potential to revolutionize the way people commute.
Khosrowshahi’s Experience with Full Self-Driving Tesla
Khosrowshahi also shared his personal experience with Tesla’s full self-driving feature.
While praising the technology, he acknowledged that the car still requires human intervention at times.
“It is delightful, but I have to take over every once in a while,” Khosrowshahi explained.
Despite this, he emphasized that the Tesla remains an impressive product and a “terrific car,” further highlighting his fondness for the vehicle.
The Competition: Elon Musk and Waymo
While Khosrowshahi remains open to cooperation, Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk has not been as cordial towards some of his competitors in the autonomous ride-hailing market.
Musk recently took a jab at Waymo, Alphabet’s self-driving car division, during Tesla’s Q1 earnings call.
He criticized the company for its expensive robotaxis, claiming that Waymo’s services cost “way mo’ money.”
However, John Krafcik, former CEO of Waymo, brushed off Musk’s comment, pointing out that Tesla has yet to launch a robotaxi service, while Waymo has been actively involved in autonomous ride-hailing.
Currently, Uber and Waymo are working together on autonomous ride-hailing projects in Austin and Atlanta.
What’s Next for Tesla’s Robotaxi Service?
Tesla is planning to launch a pilot robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, in June 2025.
The service will be closely watched by both consumers and competitors alike, as it could offer a glimpse into the future of autonomous transport.
However, Khosrowshahi and Uber seem confident that there is enough market space for everyone in the rapidly evolving transportation landscape.
Conclusion: A Collaborative Future for Uber and Tesla?
While Khosrowshahi remains optimistic about the potential for collaboration, the future of autonomous ride-hailing remains uncertain.
Uber, with its existing partnerships and massive market presence, appears to be prepared for the upcoming shifts in the industry.
As for Tesla, Musk’s vision for robotaxis is gaining traction, but only time will tell how the competition between the two companies will play out in the long run.
