NewsGlobalUber Plans Logistics and Digital Commerce Expansion in India, Says President Macdonald at Davos 2026Uber Plans Logistics and Digital Commerce Expansion in India, Says President Macdonald at Davos 2026
Uber President Andrew Macdonald announced plans to expand the company's operations in India beyond ride-hailing into logistics, package delivery, and digital commerce during Davos 2026. The company will leverage its driver network for adjacent services and plans to launch new transportation modes and expand two-wheeler services in 2026. India serves as Uber's largest engineering hub outside the Bay Area, with innovations from the Indian market being scaled across 75 countries globally.
*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.
Uber President and Chief Operating Officer Andrew Macdonald has outlined ambitious expansion plans for India, revealing the company's strategy to move beyond ride-hailing into logistics and digital commerce sectors. Speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Macdonald emphasized that Uber is "nowhere nearly done with India" and sees significant growth opportunities in the competitive Indian market.
Expansion into Adjacent Services
The ride-hailing giant plans to leverage its existing driver network to tap into what Macdonald termed "adjacent services." The company's expansion strategy focuses on two key areas:
| Service Area | Details |
|---|---|
| Package Delivery | Utilizing driver network for logistics services |
| Retail Fulfillment | Expanding into digital commerce operations |
| Mobility-as-a-Service | First and last-mile connections to train stations |
| App Integration | Incorporating ticketing services into existing platform |
This expansion comes despite Uber's previous setback in India, where its food delivery service UberEats was shut down in 2020 after failing to gain traction, despite performing well in markets like the US and UK.
2026 Growth Plans
Uber has outlined specific initiatives for 2026 to strengthen its presence in the Indian market:
- Launch of new transportation modes
- Expansion of two-wheeler services
- Enhancement of premium service offerings
- Continued scaling of global operations in mobility and autonomous vehicles
Macdonald noted that the competitive nature of the Indian market "brings the best" out of Uber, driving innovation and operational excellence.
India as Global Innovation Hub
India serves as Uber's largest engineering hub outside the Bay Area, playing a crucial role in the company's artificial intelligence initiatives through its Uber AI Solutions programme. The country functions as a testing ground for global products, with most of Uber's worldwide offerings debuting first in India.
| Global Impact | Details |
|---|---|
| Engineering Hub | Largest outside Bay Area |
| AI Development | Drives global AI initiatives |
| Product Testing | Most global products debut in India |
| Market Reach | Lessons applied across 75 countries |
Macdonald highlighted that "a lot of what we're learning in India is making its way into 75 countries around the world." He identified the key lesson from the Indian ecosystem as mastering the balance between innovation and pricing - "the ability to continue to innovate on consumer experience while being mindful of price."
Autonomous Vehicle Strategy
On the autonomous vehicle front, Uber aims to establish itself as a global platform for self-driving cars. The company currently maintains 24 partnerships with four live deployments in this sector. Macdonald emphasized Uber's commitment to providing drivers with flexibility, earnings, and protections in accordance with government regulatory changes affecting gig workers.
17
