Uber unveils new products to attract customers and improve profits

Ride-sharing company Uber unveiled new products and services on Monday, aiming to attract more customers and improve its bottom line.

New services include hotel and flight reservations, charter bus reservations, new electric vehicle options for customers, and an electric vehicle hub and charge card for drivers.

The National looks back at the new services announced on Monday.

Uber trip

The Uber travel service allows users to book rides for each leg of their route. They need to connect their Gmail account when booking and Uber will help them organize hotel, flight and restaurant reservations in one place.

Users will also receive 10% back for each reserve ride. It is available from Monday in the United States and in the coming weeks in Canada, the company said.

The California-based company is also making it easier to book a bus for group gatherings with its new Uber charter service.

With Uber charter, users can book a party bus, van, or coach in the Uber app.

“No research, no stress, no surprises…we’ll show you the prices up front. Uber charter will launch this summer in the US,” said Dara Khosrowshahi, the company’s chief executive.

Uber electric comfort

The company’s new electric comfort service will offer users a ride in a premium electric vehicle like a Tesla or Polestar on demand. This option is currently available in Dubai, Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego with more cities coming soon, the company said.

The company aims to become a zero-emission mobility platform by 2040. Last year, it formed partnership with Hertz to make up to 50,000 Tesla vehicles available for drivers to rent by 2023.

EV hub and charging card

The company has built an EV hub in the Uber app “where they [drivers] can get insights and incentives to join the electric revolution, and even compare the cost of owning an EV with a non-EV,” the company said.

To make it easier for drivers to charge, Uber is also adding a charging map directly to the driver’s app to show them where the nearest EV chargers are, charging speeds, and navigation to get there.

Voice command

Uber has integrated Google Assistant into Uber Eats to allow users to place orders by voice.

“Just say OK Google and ask your phone to order food from a restaurant on Uber Eats. Voice ordering will begin rolling out globally in English this summer with more languages ​​to come,” Khosrowshahi said. .

Autonomous delivery

Uber is launching two autonomous delivery programs in Los Angeles with Serve Robotics, a robotic sidewalk delivery startup, and Motional, an autonomous vehicle technology company.

“These pilots mark our continued work to bring safe, reliable and affordable autonomous technology to merchants and consumers around the world,” said Khosrowshahi.

Uber shares react to company move

Shares of Uber were trading down nearly 2.5% at $23.8 per share as of 9 p.m. UAE time on Monday. Shares of the company have fallen nearly 46% since the start of the year.

Earlier this month, Uber said revenue jumped in the first quarter of the year, buoyed by a pickup in its ride-sharing and delivery business between January and March.

Its revenue in the three months to the end of March soared 136% on an annualized basis to more than $6.9 billion, beating analysts’ estimate of $6.1 billion. The company reported adjusted profit of $168 million in the quarter, compared with a loss of $359 million in the year-ago period.

Updated: May 16, 2022, 6:17 p.m.