Uber hails Virat Kohli's commitment to India, gets him as brand ambassador

Cab hailing platform Uber on Friday said it has it has roped in Indian cricket team captain, Virat Kohli as its brand ambassador in India.
"Uber India's association with Virat Kohli will lay the foundation for a host of brand-led interventions in 2018. Besides being the face of the brand, Virat will be actively involved in a series of innovative marketing and customer experience initiatives to be rolled out by Uber India," the company said in a statement.
It, however, did not disclose the financial terms of the partnership.

This is the first time the company has announced a brand ambassador in the Asia Pacific region.

Last month, it had named footballer Mohamed Salah as the brand ambassador for the Egypt market.
"In Virat, we've found a partner who reflects the drive we share with everyday India, while embodying our commitment to serving the country," Uber India and South Asia President Amit Jain said.
India is a key market for Uber, which is locked in an intense battle for market leadership with homegrown player, Ola. 

Uber falls in line; receives license to ply on Karnataka's roads

Uber has finally received a license from the department of transport of the State of Karnataka to ply on the roads of cities such as Bengaluru and Mysuru, months after a case in the high court ruled that the state found it within its powers to regulate taxi aggregators.

The San Francisco-based firm received its license on December 31, nearly six months after rival Ola was granted a license by the state. Uber adhered to the minimum criteria of equipping 100 cabs with digital fare meters, panic buttons and state taxi permits.

"On Saturday, December 31, we received the Karnataka Aggregator's License from the transport department, and will continue to work with authorities to bring in progressive regulations that recognise ridesharing and allow Uber to best serve the drivers, riders and cities of India," said an Uber spokesperson.

While the company has received a license, it says it will continue to engage with the state to push for reforms in the state's aggregator rules. Both Uber and the state are awaiting the Union government's proposed amendments to Section 93 of the Motor Vehicle Act to take things forward.

In June, Uber had filed a petition against the state in the Karnataka High Court seeking to quash the rules that capped fares, required cabs to be fitted with GPS modules, panic buttons and taxi boards. The company's main contention was that the rules were unconstitutional and that the state did not have the power to regulate companies such as it.(Read More)