April 25, 2025 — Uber Technologies Inc. (NYSE: UBER) is gaining investor attention once again as its stock trades higher on fresh optimism around its push into autonomous driving. Shares of Uber were up nearly 6% at one point today, outperforming major indices, including the Nasdaq Composite. The ride-hailing giant is currently trading at $78.65 (+0.70%), with trading volume nearing 9 million as of mid-morning.
The latest rally in Uber stock follows news of a landmark partnership with German automaker Volkswagen, signaling a significant leap in the company’s strategy to embrace autonomous mobility. Starting in 2026, Uber will integrate a fleet of Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz autonomous minivans—developed through its Moia subsidiary—into the Uber platform, beginning with a Los Angeles launch and expanding into other major U.S. cities.
This new alliance builds on Uber’s earlier exclusive partnership with Waymo in Austin, Texas, which has already shown strong user adoption. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi hailed the Volkswagen collaboration as “a significant milestone in the advancement of autonomous mobility,” emphasizing Uber’s role as both a demand aggregator and a fleet servicer in the robotaxi ecosystem.
Can Uber Lead the Autonomous Ride Revolution?
One of the big questions surrounding Uber’s long-term value is whether the company can maintain its dominance in a future where drivers are replaced by autonomous vehicles. Traditional human-driver platforms benefit from powerful network effects. As the industry transitions, Uber’s success may hinge on its ability to act as a multibrand marketplace for autonomous transport—rather than a proprietary provider.
By positioning itself as a central hub for multiple self-driving platforms, Uber could maintain its relevance and revenue growth without owning the autonomous tech itself. That’s a critical differentiator, especially as many automakers and tech companies rush to launch standalone AV apps that may lack Uber’s scale or user base.
Volkswagen’s decision to partner with Uber rather than go it alone is a sign that Uber’s aggregation model could be a winning formula. For AV manufacturers, leveraging Uber’s established rider base and real-time logistics infrastructure offers a faster path to market penetration.
What’s Next for Uber Stock?
With a trailing P/E ratio of 17.25 and earnings per share at $4.56, Uber is starting to look more like a mature tech stock rather than a high-risk disruptor. Its 52-week range of $54.84 to $87.00 shows how much momentum it’s gained over the past year. The upcoming earnings report on May 7 could be another catalyst, especially if the company reveals more details about its AV strategy.
Despite today’s positive headlines, analysts remain divided. While Uber’s autonomous moves are promising, others are waiting for more proof that the company can transition profitably. The long-term viability of robotaxis still involves regulatory hurdles, operational costs, and consumer trust.
Still, the recent news suggests that Uber is not standing still—and that may be exactly what investors are betting on.