Exactly. Once self driving cars are there , Uber and Lyft have no advantage other other companies. Rental car companies actually have experience managing large fleets which is something Uber and Lyft don't have.
I worked for one of the rental car companies in this space. They literally don't have the ability to execute the technology required for this. They are better at the labor and capital side that the startups don't want to touch.
I don't doubt that's true today. So they either adapt or new entrants displace them. (This is actually a pretty good example of how all companies are needing to increasingly become tech companies to at least some degree.)
Re:Lyft Files for IPO
by solarkraft on Thursday December 06, 2018 @11:21AM
(#18619335)
In short: The current model provides barely any vendor lock-in. This is great for the free market and prices, but not great for the companies.
Lots of people are still going to own cars, especially as you get to less dense areas where parking isn't difficult or expensive and cars are needed on a daily basis to go places, store things, etc.
What possible advantage, other than fleeting brand recognition, does Lyft or Uber have in a world where self-driving is a standard car feature? Why wouldn't Avis, Hertz, National, <insert new or existing fleet management company here> operate those short-term rentals? Or even the car manufacturers--although based on past behavior--they probably are primarily interested in building cars.