• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year

2

Now worth $200 million, Sarah Jessica Parker credits being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ for her hunger, ambition, and work ethic

3

Ikea’s billionaire founder was so frugal that he bought clothes from flea markets and took free salt and pepper from restaurants

1

MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year

2

Now worth $200 million, Sarah Jessica Parker credits being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ for her hunger, ambition, and work ethic

3

Ikea’s billionaire founder was so frugal that he bought clothes from flea markets and took free salt and pepper from restaurants
CommentaryTech

Uber Won’t Kill Car Ownership

By
Ale Resnik
Ale Resnik
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Ale Resnik
Ale Resnik
Down Arrow Button Icon
August 24, 2016, 10:53 AM ET
The all-new Volvo XC90 in Onyx Black Metallic with a T6 engine and AWD features 21”-inch wheels with 8-spoke diamond cut rims in Silver Bright as well as a panoramic glass roof and LED headlights for a refined look.
The all-new Volvo XC90 in Onyx Black Metallic with a T6 engine and AWD features 21”-inch wheels with 8-spoke diamond cut rims in Silver Bright as well as a panoramic glass roof and LED headlights for a refined look.Courtesy of Volvo
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Ale Resnik is Chief Executive Officer of Beepi.

By the end of the month, your Uber journey could take place in a fully autonomous Volvo XC90 if you live in Pittsburgh thanks to a $300 million partnership that the automaker and ridesharing company recently announced. This will be the first interaction between consumers and true self-driving technology, and it is a big deal. Uber is rapidly working towards this future—a world in which Uber CEO Travis Kalanick says consumers will all be carpooling and ownership will be on life support.

While ride-shares will certainly play a part in the future, car ownership isn’t going anywhere. That’s because the same trends that will make car sharing more affordable will also make ownership significantly more affordable and even profitable.

Ride-sharing is not killing car ownership, but complementing it. Cars are getting smarter and more connected, costs to own are expected to fall and new models of ownership will emerge.

Much like the CEOs of Uber and Lyft have an interest in promoting an end to individual ownership, as CEO of Beepi, an online marketplace to buy and sell cars, I believe in the future of ownership. But the trends speak for themselves.

Several factors could bring down the cost of ownership — among them, the rise of electric cars, lower energy costs and developments in autonomous technology. According to the consulting firm IHS, nearly 76 million autonomous vehicles will be sold globally between now and 2035. And a Goldman Sachs report shows that with increasing reliance on software and electronics, these vehicles will consist of fewer parts, going from 30,000 to 11,000 components, leading manufacturing costs to go down.

Helping bring down the cost of ownership further is the shift to electric energy, which could negate the need for fossil fuels. As will more affordable insurance rates, driven by evidence that suggests self-driving cars could lead to fewer accidents on the road.

The rise of autonomous vehicles will also lead to a productivity boom, according to a report by Morgan Stanley. With commuter time freed up for people who are not actively driving, we will have more time to complete important tasks in the privacy of our own mobile offices.

Lower costs and improved productivity are only part of the equation. Automobiles will also be a source of income for their owners; people will be able to rent their cars to the network, making ownership more efficient – possibly even profitable.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently speculated about this development, which—as with the recent Uber/Volvo self-driving deal in Pittsburgh—could happen sooner than many expect. By 2022, Musk believes consumers will be able to pay for their self-driving Teslas by having them autonomously pick up and drop off other passengers during the 90% of time the vehicles aren’t utilized by owners.

Consumers have seen how cars can be a source of income. Plenty of Uber and Lyft drivers turn their cars into part-time jobs. Imagine when they can rent cars to the network while simultaneously working elsewhere.

So car ownership is here to stay, even when autonomous vehicles go mainstream.

And while some may think millennials don’t want to own a car, the notion that all millennials want to share is simply not true. According to a recent study by Credit Karma, more than 90% of millennials currently own a car or have a desire to own one.

With a culture of independence and geographic mobility, along with a significant interstate highway system, car ownership is woven into the fabric of American life. A recent Pew Research report says two-thirds of regular ride-sharing users also own a personal vehicle. The ride-sharing model isn’t feasible for families with young children or in most rural areas. In fact, the same Pew study found that just 3% of rural residents have ever used a ride-sharing service. But, perhaps more importantly, the majority of drivers see the cabin of their car as a personal space they treasure – and don’t want to give up.

According to GM President Dan Ammann, the auto industry will see more change in the next five years than it has in the last 50. Self-driving cars will deliver more personal freedom, possibilities for productivity and additional income than ever before. These phenomena will lead to new and different models of ownership. After all, cars are becoming computers on wheels and computers advance at the speed of Moore’s law.

About the Author
By Ale Resnik
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Commentary

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Commentary

nido
Commentary250 Years of Innovation
As an immigrant turned entrepreneur and college president, here is why I celebrate our nation as it turns 250
By Nido R. QubeinJune 25, 2026
17 hours ago
Asia’s defense boom is rewiring the global arms supply chain
Commentaryarms, weapons, and defense
Asia’s defense boom is rewiring the global arms supply chain
By Chris OberoiJune 24, 2026
1 day ago
steve
Commentary250 Years of Innovation
Steve Case: America was built by entrepreneurs. Here’s how we keep that edge for the next 250 years
By Steve CaseJune 24, 2026
2 days ago
t
CommentaryWhite House
Trump mistakes the bully pulpit for bullying leadership — history’s villains were never heroes
By Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and Steven TianJune 24, 2026
2 days ago
mg
CommentaryHealth
The ‘tech neck’ time bomb: why 43 million young Americans could cripple U.S. health care within a generation
By Michael GerlingJune 24, 2026
2 days ago
sb
Commentaryclimate change
The climate policy triangle: why leaders can no longer choose between growth, security and sustainability
By Sebastian BuckupJune 23, 2026
2 days ago

Most Popular

MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year
Success
MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year
By Sydney LakeJune 25, 2026
21 hours ago
Now worth $200 million, Sarah Jessica Parker credits being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ for her hunger, ambition, and work ethic
Success
Now worth $200 million, Sarah Jessica Parker credits being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ for her hunger, ambition, and work ethic
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJune 24, 2026
2 days ago
Ikea’s billionaire founder was so frugal that he bought clothes from flea markets and took free salt and pepper from restaurants
Success
Ikea’s billionaire founder was so frugal that he bought clothes from flea markets and took free salt and pepper from restaurants
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJune 25, 2026
21 hours ago
Current price of silver as of Thursday, June 25, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of silver as of Thursday, June 25, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJune 25, 2026
16 hours ago
Current price of oil as of June 25, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of June 25, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJune 25, 2026
16 hours ago
After forcing workers back to the office, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are now letting their staff work remotely—but only for the World Cup
Success
After forcing workers back to the office, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are now letting their staff work remotely—but only for the World Cup
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJune 23, 2026
3 days ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.