Uber on Wednesday added valet delivery of rental cars as part of a range of offers as it is a “one-stop shop” for post-pandemic excursions or restaurants.
With Covid-19 vaccines making it safer for people to get around, Uber wants to be a hub for conjuring rides. Running errands or renting vehicles.
“Uber wants and is the one-stop shop to get to where you need to be,” said Uber engineer Adib Roumani in a video briefing with journalists.
“This really is what we’re looking for, after all, and we want to make sure Uber is talking to all of these use cases.”
Usage of Uber’s grocery delivery service, Eats, increased during the pandemic as people avoided going to stores or restaurants while the core ridesharing offer stalled.
“While much of the world was idle last year, our team at Uber rethought how the world is moving to help us get back – not just to normal, but to a better normal,” said Uber chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi in a blog post.
“We’ve been busy innovating and creating new products to help you and your family get where you want and get what you need, easier and faster than before.”
Uber is among the tech companies involved in vaccination efforts and sees some “green shoots” when more people are bumped, according to executives.
The vision of the San Francisco-based company has long been to get people to use a combination of their services, for example to entice fans of Uber Eats to use the app for rides or rentals.
Uber allows people on shared journeys to order items for collection at stores on the route, or to wait for deliveries when they get home.
“We can’t wait to help you go somewhere and get something,” said Khosrowshahi.
With a “valet” option added to Uber’s US car rental functionality, users can use the app to book vehicles from partners like Avis, Budget and Hertz and then have them delivered.
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“Your rental car will be brought to your doorstep so you can get out on the road earlier,” said Khosrowshahi.
“And when you’re done, a driver will meet you to take the car back. No rental car counters, no queues, no lugging.”
Uber Rent with Valet was launched in Washington, DC and should be gradually rolled out to other US cities.
gc / rl
