Reference no: EM132319734
In private and sometimes in public, Travis Kalanick was fond of describing Uber, the car-hailing service he co-founded and commanded absolutely, as the Amazon of the transportation business.
The similarities were clear. Amazon began as an online bookstore, but it was never just about selling books; over two decades, Amazon's founder methodically expanded his company's range, operational infrastructure and ambitions to ultimately pose an existential threat to the entire retail industry.
Uber, in Mr. Kalanick's expansive vision, was similarly never just about hailing rides.
To him, a taxi-like car service has always been a gateway for a business model that he believed would upend the entire trillion-dollar global transportation industry, altering the way people and things move around the world - and turning Uber into one of the handful of American tech giants that will lord over this century.
Uber's secret is its popularity with riders. A recent study showed that Uber has replaced non-urgent ambulance trips to the hospital. Research factually demonstrated in urban areas drops in ambulance use and increases in Uber hospital trips.
1. Discuss the role you see Uber playing in upending the traditional transportation industry? How have you used it or heard of others using it?
Do you know someone who uses the new "Uber Eats" food delivery service?
2. One of Uber's slogans is: "Never buy your child a car!!" Their target market is worried parents concerned for their child's safety. What is your thinking or experience as to how that would work out?