As GrabTaxi and EasyTaxi make inroads in brining Vietnam’s personal transportation services into the digital age, one of the sexiest names in the space is getting ready to rev its engine in Saigon.
Uber, a San Francisco based company has been in the U.S. since 2009, offering users the ability to book luxury cars with their smartphone.
As the company has expanded to new markets, it has begun to diversify its offerings, signing deals with local taxi companies and drivers of non-luxury cars.
Earlier this year, the company received a $18.2 billion valuation and now has its eyes on Asia. In 2014, it has launched in Bangkok, Beijing, Jakarta and now Saigon.
Unlike the aforementioned GrabTaxi and EasyTaxi, who have been working hard to secure their space in the Vietnamese market, Uber will be going into the country on the prestige of its brand.
And that might not be so easy.
According to TechinAsia, Mai Linh and Vinasun drivers have already signed deals with other companies. This may mean that for Uber, the clearest path forward may be falling back on the non-taxi services.
But in Vietnam, where every car is a luxury and luxury cars are often driven by hired hands, this model will be tough to apply.
Either way, competition is a good thing and Uber has shown that it’s in it to win it.
This should be an interesting app battle.
