Uber is set to enhance its upcoming luxury robotaxi service, collaborating with Lucid Motors and Nuro, by bringing Hertz on board as a key partner.
On Thursday, the companies revealed that Hertz will oversee essential vehicle management tasks, including charging, maintenance, repairs, and cleaning, as well as staffing for their depots. This innovative service, expected to launch by the end of 2026 in the San Francisco Bay Area, will utilize Lucid's Gravity SUVs alongside Nuro's autonomous driving technology.
The vehicle management will be handled by Hertz's newly formed affiliate, named Oro Mobility, which aims to deliver comprehensive fleet management solutions across various mobility sectors. "As the industry shifts from personal vehicle ownership to commercially operated fleets, Oro is designed to address critical operational needs," stated Hertz in their press release.
This initiative marks Hertz's continued evolution in the mobility landscape, particularly following its restructuring in 2020. The company made headlines in 2021 by ordering 100,000 electric vehicles from Tesla, a move that significantly boosted Tesla's market valuation. Furthermore, Hertz announced plans in 2022 to acquire up to 175,000 electric vehicles from General Motors and another 65,000 from Polestar.
While some of these ambitious plans faced challenges, Hertz is now focusing on establishing a fleet management division that aligns closely with its expertise as a rental car leader. Competitors like Avis have already begun similar collaborations, managing robotaxi fleets for companies such as Waymo.
Looking ahead, Hertz and Uber have expressed intentions to explore further expansion opportunities in 2027. Uber has partnerships with numerous autonomous vehicle companies globally and plans to order at least 35,000 robotaxi-ready vehicles from Lucid Motors in the coming years, starting with an initial order of 10,000 Gravity SUVs. Recently, Uber also announced intentions to order 25,000 more electric vehicles from Lucid Motors based on an upcoming mid-sized platform, further solidifying its stake in the autonomous vehicle market.
This strategic partnership not only enhances Uber's service offerings but also positions Hertz to capitalize on the growing demand for integrated mobility solutions, potentially reshaping the future of transportation.
