Uber has launched its Uber Freight truck platform in Germany. It is the second European market where this service will be available. The service will enable Uber to compete with various local startups, hoping to acquire a 500 billion dollar share of the European truck market.
Uber Freight is a platform that wants to digitise the truck industry and increase efficiency. With Freight it should be easier to find a carrier and there is no need to negotiate the price. Companies can also use an app to keep track of the location of their cargo.
Carriers have the advantage that it is easier to find new orders and to arrange payment quickly. Uber Freight makes money with the difference between the prices the sender pays and the truck driver’s salary.
Uber Freight was already available in Europe, namely in the Netherlands. The launch of the service in our country took place in March. Uber Freight has been present in the United States for some time. It brings in more than 125 million dollars in turnover per quarter, writes Reuters.
Different approach
Uber has a bumpy past in Germany. Under former CEO Travis Kalanick, the company tried to set up its taxi service in the country. However, this has been widely criticised by the taxi companies in Germany itself, as well as by politicians and judges.
Now the new CEO, Dara Khosrowshawi, has the reins. Under his leadership, Uber first met with German officials and industry to get support for his truck platform, says Daniel Buczkowski, the head of Uber Freight’s European expansion.
After the change in leadership, we really started doing the right thing, says the German Buczkowski to Reuters.
Competition
In Germany, Uber will therefore compete with local players, including the Berlin startup sennder. Sennder has a wider presence in Europe and was able to raise $70 million in investments from Lakestar and other financiers. In addition, it had a value of 300 million dollars.
Other competitors are Flexport from San Francisco, the British Zencargo and the German FreightHub.
However, according to Buczkowski, Uber Freight is distinctive because it has a global reach and proven technology. Once everything in Germany runs smoothly, the company wants to expand further in Europe.
This news article was automatically translated from Dutch to give Techzine.eu a head start. All news articles after September 1, 2019 are written in native English and NOT translated. All our background stories are written in native English as well. For more information read our launch article.
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