How did Uber navigate the COVID crisis?

During the COVID crisis, Uber strategically focused on its core businesses and leveraged partnerships for non-core activities. The mobility business declined significantly, but Uber Eats experienced substantial growth, which helped stabilize the company. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi emphasized hardcore actions instead of incremental changes, involving cost-cutting measures and layoffs, particularly in areas considered non-core. These decisions were instrumental in managing the crisis effectively 1.

Moreover, Uber sought to rebuild trust during this period by focusing on transparency and safety. The company published a comprehensive safety report and launched a marketing campaign advising users to limit their use of the service for safety, highlighting their prioritization of public health over immediate business benefits 2.

These actions, coupled with a focus on delivery services such as groceries and partnerships, like the one with Aurora for autonomous technology, were key elements of their strategy during the pandemic 1.