In an interview with CNBC-TV18’s Shereen Bhan, the Uber executive shared that the company is looking to explore “adjacent services,” such as package delivery and retail fulfillment, leveraging its driver network.
This isn’t the first time Uber has explored options beyond ride-hailing in India, a market that Macdonald claims “brings out the best” in Uber. The company’s food delivery arm, UberEats, did not gain traction in India, unlike in markets such as the US and UK, leading to its closure in 2020.
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Uber is also looking into “mobility-as-a-service” models, which include first- and last-mile connectivity to train stations and integrating ticket purchasing within its app.
By 2026, Uber intends to introduce new transportation modes in India, grow its two-wheeler services, and enhance its premium offerings, all while scaling its global operations in mobility, autonomous vehicles, and local commerce.
He stressed that Uber remains dedicated to offering drivers flexibility, earnings, and protections in line with governmental regulations regarding gig workers.
Regarding autonomous vehicles, Macdonald noted that Uber aims to establish itself as a global platform for self-driving cars, currently boasting 24 partnerships and four live deployments.
Lessons from India
Macdonald highlighted that India is Uber’s largest engineering hub outside the Bay Area, spearheading the company’s AI initiatives through its Uber AI Solutions programme.
Many of the ride-hailing company’s global products are first launched in India, where they learn from a rapidly evolving ecosystem with new entrants bringing diverse business models.
“Much of what we learn in India influences 75 countries across the globe, and that’s a positive outcome,” he added.
For Macdonald, the key takeaway from the Indian market is the delicate balance between innovation and pricing, specifically, “the ability to continually enhance consumer experience while remaining mindful of costs.”
