[supster]

Google is in a really interesting spot:

- They own a significant stake in Uber via GV (formerly Google Ventures)

- They own Google Maps, which everyone relies on at the moment

- They own the most advanced self driving car and are closest to Level 4 autonomy

- They own Waze, and have a significant community there

In my mind they should acquire Lyft, let it run as is. Then when they are ready to go primetime with their self driving cars, start piloting them as a cheaper/free option within the Lyft app. If the pilot works, expand the cars nationwide and aggressively finance the fleet using their balance sheet.

[shostack]

What is really interesting about that is Google's ability to price it as a loss leader propped up by the ad business. They could even tie in a new AdWords extension to let people pay to have customers driven somewhere.

They could completely undercut Uber on price AND have better data sets.

[mars4rp]

I think at the end of the day Google will win this game with their self driving cars. Why they should buy Lyft and compete with Uber and lose billions of dollars, the better strategy is to get the self driving car first before anyone else and come in and crush Uber and Lyft and whoever is in the market. this will not get sued by driver and will not be under scrutiny by the regulators!!