[ad_1]
Uber’s main rival in India has some unsolicited advice for the US start-up: go local.
“They have a very straightforward approach in terms of what the model is and how [to] force-feed it in any geography,” Pranay Jivrajka, a senior executive at Ola Cabs, said on the sidelines of CNN’s Asia Business Forum in Bangalore.
Jivrajka, who until recently served as Ola’s chief operating officer, said Uber should abandon its one-size-fits-all approach and instead try to understand the “local nuances” that would help it identify the services that “riders and drivers really want.” want”.
Uber declined to comment on Jivrajka’s comments.
Uber and Ola have for years waged a bitter battle for supremacy in India, a market with 1.3 billion potential customers. The country has taken on greater importance for Uber after a series of recent setbacks in other parts of Asia.
The San Francisco-based company suspended operations in Taiwan last week, six months after it sold its China operations to local rival Didi Chuxing. Didi, which is giving Uber a run for its money in key foreign markets, is one of Ola’s investors.
In India, Uber has often found itself trying to catch up with its Bangalore-based rival. Ola already offers its latest local product offer, which allows Indian users to book a car for a full day, in 85 cities.
Ola also allows users to book one of India’s ubiquitous three-wheel auto-rickshaws, a service that Uber started but later discontinued in 2015.
“What has helped us is being vigilant in terms of understanding what users want,” Jivrajka said.
Related: Uber’s rivals are teaming up in Asia
Uber CEO Travis Kalanick insists his company is not ready to leave India.
“We are losing, but we see a path to profitability,” Kalanick said during a visit to Delhi in December. “See you being here for the long haul.”
Related: Uber suspends its service in Taiwan as fines mount
India is not always an easy market for either company: Tens of thousands of drivers representing both Uber and Ola went on strike in Delhi this week, demanding better wages and benefits. The Delhi government has offered to mediate the dispute.
Jivrajka did not comment on the protests, but said Ola’s main goal remains to attract more drivers to its platform.
“We need more drivers because the rate at which demand increases is much higher than the way supply is added,” he said.
Related: Uber CEO Leaves Trump’s Business Advisory Council
Jivrajka also had some advice for another Silicon Valley giant hoping to break into India: electric car maker Tesla.
“There are no rules on Indian roads,” Jivrajka said. “One thing a lot of people say is if you can drive in India, you can drive anywhere.”
— Manveena Suri contributed to this report
CNN Money (Bangalore, India) First posted on February 13, 2017: 8:48 am ET
#Indian #rival #criticizes #Ubers #business #model