Why has Uber's vision of ending car ownership not come true?

Despite Uber's rise, new data shows car ownership has remained steady, with the number of cars per 1,000 Americans increasing from 800 in 2000 to around 850 in 2025. The high cost of new vehicles, averaging over $50,000, has made it difficult for many, especially younger buyers, to afford alternatives to personal car ownership.

How has Uber's financial performance changed over the years?

Uber, which went public in the early 2010s, reported its first profitable year in 2023. However, this financial success has not translated to a decline in car ownership, as the convenience and flexibility of personal vehicles continue to drive demand.

What is the current state of car ownership in major cities with ride-hailing services?

In dense urban areas with a strong presence of Uber, Lyft, and Waymo, the number of "vehicles available to the members of the household" has seen little to no change since the ride-hailing revolution began. Car ownership rates have remained largely flat or even slightly increased in these areas.

Home / Business and Economy / Ride-Hailing Fails to Dethrone Car Ownership, New Data Reveals

Ride-Hailing Fails to Dethrone Car Ownership, New Data Reveals

13 Nov

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Summary

Car ownership remains steady despite Uber, Lyft, and Waymo's rise
Uber's first profitable year in 2023 after going public
Cost of new cars averages over $50,000, pricing out younger buyers

Ride-Hailing Fails to Dethrone Car Ownership, New Data Reveals

In 2025, a decade after Uber's rise, the ride-hailing revolution has not led to the demise of car ownership as once envisioned by the company's former CEO Travis Kalanick. According to a report published in November 2025, car ownership rates have remained largely flat or even slightly increased in major metropolitan areas with a strong presence of Uber, Lyft, and Waymo.

The data shows that nationally, the number of cars per 1,000 Americans has increased from 800 in 2000 to around 850 in 2025. Even in dense urban areas with widespread ride-hailing services, the number of "vehicles available to the members of the household" has seen little to no change since Uber's inception.

This comes despite Uber's first profitable year in 2023, after the company went public and started disclosing its financials. Kalanick's vision of a future where car ownership is a thing of the past has not materialized, as the average cost of a new car in the US has now surpassed $50,000, pricing out many younger buyers.

Experts suggest that the lack of affordable alternatives to car ownership, coupled with the convenience and flexibility it provides, has contributed to the resilience of personal vehicle ownership, even in the face of the ride-hailing revolution.

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