Auto Rental News
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Daimler to Bring Self-Driving Mercedes-Benz Cars to Uber

Daimler will eventually offer self-driving Mercedes-Benz vehicles on Uber's ride-hailing platform under a new partnership between the two companies announced Jan. 31.

by Staff
January 31, 2017
Daimler to Bring Self-Driving Mercedes-Benz Cars to Uber

Fleet managers test out the 2017 E-Class in July. Photo by Paul Clinton.

2 min to read


Fleet managers test out the 2017 E-Class in July. Photo by Paul Clinton.

Daimler will eventually offer self-driving Mercedes-Benz vehicles on Uber's ride-hailing platform under a new partnership between the two companies announced Jan. 31.

The companies didn't announce a specific timetable for the arrival of the vehicles, beyond Daimler's plan to add them to the Uber network "in the coming years." The vehicles will be offered in many of Uber's 74 global markets.

Ad Loading...

The move fits in with Daimler's corporate strategy called CASE, an acronym for Connected, Autonomous, Shared & Services, and Electric. In January of 2016, Mercedes-Benz earned a test license for autonomous driving with its 2017 E-Class on Nevada roads.

"Mobility service providers offer an ideal platform for autonomous driving technology and Uber is a leading mobility platform company," said Dieter Zetsche, chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars.

Uber's co-founder Travis Kalanick said the company views autonomous vehicles as a way to "further our mission of bringing reliable transportation to everyone, everywhere. They will also help to reduce traffic accidents, which today kill many people a year; free up the huge amount of space currently used to park the world’s billion-plus cars; and cut congestion, which is choking our cities."

Uber has elected not to attempt to manufacture self-driving vehicles, and instead partner with automakers such as Daimler.

"Auto manufacturers like Daimler are crucial to our strategy because Uber has no experience making cars — and in fact, making cars is really hard," Kalanick wrote in a blog post. "This became very clear to me after I visited an auto manufacturing plant and saw how much effort goes into designing, testing and building cars."

Originally posted on Automotive Fleet

More Rental Operations

A tech collage of electronic devices against a computer chip blueprint map.
Rental OperationsMay 1, 2026

Why Car Rental Can No Longer Run On Workarounds

The shift from branch-based software to connected operations is turning rental technology into strategic infrastructure.

Read More →
A tech collage of electronic devices against a computer chip blueprint map.
Rental OperationsMay 1, 2026

Why Car Rental Can No Longer Run On Workarounds

The shift from branch-based software to connected operations is turning rental technology into strategic infrastructure.

Read More →
A black Audi SUV superimposed on a historic scene from downtown Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Carwiz Sets Up Rental Operations In Central Asia

The global franchise operation reaches a first in its rental fleet portfolio with new service in Uzbekistan.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A raging brushfire in the countryside.
Rental Operationsby Martin RomjueApril 30, 2026

Where Rental Fleets Must Adjust To Shifting Catastrophe Risks

West Coast disasters pose unique challenges and liabilities for rental fleet operators, who are advised to take steps tailored to their specific situations.

Read More →
ARN Industry Newsmakers thumbnail page with ARN and ICRS logos and shots of Nick DiPrima and Martin Romjue
Rental Operationsby Martin RomjueApril 27, 2026

Using AI To Find Rental Car Damage

Angry car renters are storming social media, the mainstream media, and online ratings platforms to complain about charges they claim are either unfounded or excessive.

Read More →
Photo of CEO Krešimir Dobrilović against a gray modernist crooked-tile mural display.

Carwiz Opens Car Rental Service In Panama

A Carwiz partner in Puerto Rico is taking on the Panama franchise with operations in the nation's largest airport.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A world map with Flexways logo and new locations headline.

Flexways Opens 10 Locations Among Franchise, Affiliate Rental Networks

The integrated business model combines each operator’s local expertise with international standards to boost sales.

Read More →
Photo of a suitcase, passport, and smartphone.

Traveler Customer Satisfaction Up This Year Data Study Shows

The study looks at customer analytics to size up performance in car rentals, rideshare, airlines, lodging, and OTAs.

Read More →
A rental car between two placards showing a symbolic revenue increase from $300 to $1600.

New Consulting Company Ready To Boost Point-of-Sale Revenue

Revcuity, an outgrowth of Frontline Performance Group, aims to help clients capture more revenue moments with face-to-face customers, including in the car rental space.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Martin Romjue stands at conference stage podium close to a dangling, glistening chandelier.
Rental Operationsby StaffApril 15, 2026

Meet The (Semi-New) ARN Editor

Martin Romjue has been editing and reporting for ARN since 2023 and fully transitioned to the role of chairman of the International Car Rental Show in 2026.

Read More →
Ad Loading...