Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Automobilwoche
  • Automotive News Canada
  • Automotive News China
Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletters
  • Login
  • HOME
    • Latest news
    • Automakers
    • Suppliers
    • New Product
    • Environment/Emissions
    • Sales By Market
    • On The Move
    • Auto Shows
    • Munich Auto Show
    • Geneva Auto Show
    • Paris Auto Show
    • Beijing Auto Show
    • Shanghai Auto Show
  • Features
    • Long Read
    • Interview of the Month
    • Focus on Electrification
    • Focus on Technology
    • Segment Analysis
    • Cars & Concepts
    • Supplier Spotlight
    • Europe By The Numbers
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Commentary
    • Guest columnists
  • Photos
    • Photo Galleries
    • Geneva Photo Gallery
    • Beijing Photo Gallery
    • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
    • Paris Photo Gallery
    • Shanghai Photo Gallery
  • Podcasts
  • Car Cutaways
  • EVENTS
    • ANE Congress
    • ANE Rising Stars
    • ANE Eurostars
  • More
    • Publishing Partners
    • Social Media
    • Contact Us
    • Media Kit
    • About Us
    • Capgemini: All or nothing: Why circular business models require a holistic approach
    • Capgemini: Invent Head on automotive takeaways from CES 2023
    • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
    • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
    • Capgemini: The circular economy is spurring new thinking on EV batteries
    • Capgemini: Toyota and Capgemini leaders on how OEMs can handle industry changes and succeed
    • HEXAGON: Plugging into data is the only way to make winning EVs
    • PUBLICIS SAPIENT: The power of post-purchase: How automakers can maximize customer lifetime value
    • TUV Rheinland: Ideas, services and certifications for smart mobility
    • TUV Rheinland: Testing of automated and autonomous vehicles on test tracks
    • Toyota Europe
    • UFI Filters
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Automotive News Europe
February 22, 2018 12:00 AM

Uber CEO will court automakers beyond Toyota for self-driving

Yuji Nakamura and Saritha Rai
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    BLOOMBERG
    Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi: "We have a very budding partnership with Toyota."

    NEW DELHI -- Toyota and Uber plan to team up on autonomous driving as technological changes sweep through the transportation industry.

    On Thursday, Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber Technologies, posted a photo on Twitter of him and Toyota President Akio Toyoda and Executive Vice President Shigeki Tomoyama at the automaker's headquarters. The Uber CEO is smiling and holding a black baseball bat from local hero Ichiro Suzuki, while Toyoda laughs at his side.

    "Having fun with Akio-San and Tomoyama-San @ToyotaMotorCorp HQ," he wrote. "Great discussions about growing our #autonomous partnership and lessons 4 me in building a great culture. And yep, those are Ichiro's bats."

    The cheerful snapshot encapsulates a partnership Khosrowshahi hopes to extend to other automakers. It's part of a plan to get autonomous vehicles in the Uber network on actual streets within a year, he told reporters during a media roundtable in New Delhi, the present leg of an Asian tour that's taken in Japan.

    Uber and Toyota have given few details of their collaboration on autonomous technology, though both have been active in the field separately. Toyota bought a stake in Uber in 2016, without disclosing the size or the reason for the investment. Khosrowshahi wouldn't elaborate except to say Uber's committed to self-driving vehicles for commercial profit.

    "In less than a year, autonomous vehicles will be on the road in our network," he said in Delhi. "Much sooner than you would expect."

    Khosrowshahi is looking to move past an embarrassing legal battle with Google parent Alphabet, which alleged that Uber stole autonomous driving secrets. Having settled that case this month for about $245 million in stock, Khosrowshahi's meeting with Toyoda shows his commitment to continue developing the technology with partners. For Toyota, closer ties could help it keep up with rivals like Nissan Motor, which is working on its own autonomous solution. 

    "We have a very budding partnership with Toyota," Khosrowshahi told investors at an event on Tuesday. "We have to make sure we have access to leading autonomous technology. And that means having access to it in a timely manner. I do believe we can develop our own autonomous technology that we’re doing, and at the same time partner with other players in autonomous technology." 

    During his Asian trip, Khosrowshahi made it clear the ride-hailing company isn't scaling back its ambitions in certain regional markets, despite speculation of a retreat. It will keep investing to become No. 1 in the country versus local rival Ola, he said. In Japan, Uber's willing to forge partnerships with Japanese taxi companies in order to succeed, though Uber has less than 1 percent market share and only offers limited services there.

    "It's clear to me that we need to come in with partnership in mind," Khosrowshahi said this week.

    It's a clear sign that the ride-hailing giant will redouble efforts to take a piece of Japan's $16 billion taxi market, even amid signs of pressure from its biggest shareholder, SoftBank Group, to focus on core markets. Amid heavy operating losses, Uber has retreated from some markets, including China and Russia. It's also said to be considering a sale of its Southeast Asian business. On Thursday, Khosrowshahi said Uber's board will dictate its strategy and that the Japanese company’s opinion was but one of many.

    Uber still faces an uphill battle in SoftBank's home country. Local rivals such as Nihon Kotsu, Tokyo's largest cab company, have already released popular taxi-hailing apps. Uber's Chinese rival Didi Chuxing last year began partnership talks with taxi operator Daiichi Koutsu Sangyo, with the discussions facilitated by SoftBank, a person familiar with the matter told Bloomberg in October. Uber is also said to be in talks for a venture with Daiichi Koutsu.

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    EV efficiency takes center stage at the Automotive News Europe Congress
    Recommended for You
    Renault electric car
    EV efficiency takes center stage at the Automotive News Europe Congress
    Renault Flins recycling 2021
    Explore Renault's Refactory at the Automotive News Europe Congress
    Fredrika Klaren Polestar Congress 2023
    Polestar sustainability chief Fredrika Klaren to speak at Automotive News Europe Congress
    Sign up for free newsletters
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Get Free Newsletters

    Sign up and get the best of Automotive News Europe delivered straight to your email inbox, free of charge. Choose your news – we will deliver.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Get 24/7 access to in-depth, authoritative coverage of the auto industry from a global team of reporters and editors covering the news that’s vital to your business.

    SUBSCRIBE NOW
    Connect with Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram

    Founded in 1996, Automotive News Europe is the preferred information source for decision-makers and opinion leaders operating in Europe.

    Contact Us

    1155 Gratiot Avenue
    Detroit MI  48207-2997
    Tel: +1 877-812-1584

    Email Us

    ISSN 2643-6590 (print)
    ISSN 2643-6604 (online)

     

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise with us
    • Advertise with Us
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Awards
    • Rising Stars
    • Eurostars
    • Leading Women
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Automotive News Europe
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • HOME
      • Latest news
      • Automakers
      • Suppliers
      • New Product
      • Environment/Emissions
      • Sales By Market
      • On The Move
      • Auto Shows
        • Munich Auto Show
        • Geneva Auto Show
        • Paris Auto Show
        • Beijing Auto Show
        • Shanghai Auto Show
    • Features
      • Long Read
      • Interview of the Month
      • Focus on Electrification
      • Focus on Technology
      • Segment Analysis
      • Cars & Concepts
      • Supplier Spotlight
      • Europe By The Numbers
    • Opinion
      • Blogs
      • Commentary
      • Guest columnists
    • Photos
      • Photo Galleries
      • Geneva Photo Gallery
      • Beijing Photo Gallery
      • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
      • Paris Photo Gallery
      • Shanghai Photo Gallery
    • Podcasts
    • Car Cutaways
    • EVENTS
      • ANE Congress
      • ANE Rising Stars
      • ANE Eurostars
    • More
      • Publishing Partners
        • Capgemini: All or nothing: Why circular business models require a holistic approach
        • Capgemini: Invent Head on automotive takeaways from CES 2023
        • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
        • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
        • Capgemini: The circular economy is spurring new thinking on EV batteries
        • Capgemini: Toyota and Capgemini leaders on how OEMs can handle industry changes and succeed
        • HEXAGON: Plugging into data is the only way to make winning EVs
        • PUBLICIS SAPIENT: The power of post-purchase: How automakers can maximize customer lifetime value
        • TUV Rheinland: Ideas, services and certifications for smart mobility
        • TUV Rheinland: Testing of automated and autonomous vehicles on test tracks
        • Toyota Europe
        • UFI Filters
      • Social Media
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • LinkedIn
        • Twitter
      • Contact Us
      • Media Kit
      • About Us