Uber’s Popularity in India Has Led to a Mini Vehicle Boom
An Uber taxi driver drives his car through a street in New Delhi, India. Riding on its startup success and flush with fresh capital, taxi-hailing smartphone app Uber is making a big push into Asia.
Photographer: Saurabh Das/AP PhotoThis article is for subscribers only.
Uber Technologies Inc. has posed a threat to auto sales by enticing car owners to ditch their keys. In India, its popularity has sparked a vehicle boom instead.
Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. has seen a surge in demand for its DZire Tour sedan because of the rising popularity of car-booking apps, said R.S. Kalsi, executive director at India’s largest carmaker. Toyota Motor Corp. is offering special deals to woo drivers and fleet operators that are boosting orders for its Etios sedan, which starts at 611,000 rupees ($9,400).