Uber's New AV Strategy: 50K Robotaxis, Growth & Profits

0:00Uber CEO Dar Kostro Shahi is flipping the script on autonomous vehicles, calling them a net positive for growth instead of a threat. He says Uber wins by controlling riders, not owning the cars and their new deal with Rivian backs that are planning up to $50,000 fully. driverless robo taxes. Earlier this week on March 19th, Uber announced this Rivian partnership, right after saying they'll have active AV supply in 15 cities by the end of 2026. Markets like San Francisco, Austin and Atlanta are already seeing more rides from autonomous options, boosting demand without hurting the platform. Investors are paying attention because Uber's core business is crushing it. In quarter four of 2025, Gross bookings hit $54.1 billion, adjusted EBITDA jump 35% to $2.5 billion and free cash flow reached $2.8 billion. That proves the model scales with real profits. Meanwhile, the strategy gives Uber time to test in dense cities before going wide,

1:03keeping margins safe while AVs lower prices and ramp up ride. Frequency. The key is proving partners don't steal riders or cut take rates. If Uber nails execution on these partnerships and holds on to demand, expect higher trips, better liquidity, and stock upside as the network expands. Without owning fleets, from your city powered by AI, this is Durham News Today.