HN commentators are missing the point. Uber's strategy is lifted straight from Groupons playbook: they're expanding aggressively internationally to drive home the message that "HEY LOOK WE'RE A GLOBAL PLAY. WE'RE IN 42 CITIES IN CHINA!"
This will drive up the IPO value. By the time they get steamrolled by the local competitors or by the local regulators (likely both) they'll have sold off their shares to the dumb retail investor.
The fact that the heads of Uber China and its main local competitor are literally family members is very telling....
This will drive up the IPO value. By the time they get steamrolled by the local competitors or by the local regulators (likely both) they'll have sold off their shares to the dumb retail investor.
The fact that the heads of Uber China and its main local competitor are literally family members is very telling....