In the ongoing rivalry between Uber Technologies Inc
Wedbush Securities analyst Scott Devitt's latest survey of over 1,000 U.S. consumers highlights a growing preference for Uber, reflecting broader adoption and increased usage of ridesharing services.
Uber Leads the Pack
Uber remains the preferred choice for U.S. consumers, with 42% planning to increase their usage of the platform this year. This figure has remained stable compared to previous surveys, underscoring Uber's strong foothold in the market.
Notably, 13% of respondents exclusively used Uber for all their ridesharing trips over the past year, a testament to the brand's reliability and service quality.
Lyft's Struggles Continue
In stark contrast, only 19% of consumers plan to increase their usage of Lyft this year, a significant drop from 25% in the first quarter and 30% in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Furthermore, 18% of respondents plan to use Lyft less frequently, up from 13% in the prior survey. These numbers paint a challenging picture for Lyft as it struggles to keep pace with its larger competitor.
Ridesharing Adoption On The Rise
The overall ridesharing market is experiencing healthy growth, with 51% of respondents using ridesharing services, up from 48% in the first quarter and 45% in the fourth quarter of 2023. Nearly half of these users reported an increase in their ridesharing activity over the past three months. This positive trend bodes well for the industry, signaling rising adoption and frequency of use.
The survey reveals interesting usage patterns among consumers. While 23% use ridesharing services 1-2 times per month, a dedicated 4% use them seven or more times monthly. The number of consumers not using ridesharing services at all has declined to 49%, indicating a growing acceptance and integration of these services into daily life.
Uber Is Better Positioned Than Lyft
For investors, Uber's stable and growing consumer base offers a promising outlook. The company's ability to maintain high usage rates and exclusive user preference highlights its market strength.
On the other hand, Lyft faces a steeper climb, with declining consumer interest posing a significant challenge.
The data suggests that Uber is well-positioned to continue its dominance, while Lyft must innovate and adapt to regain consumer favor.
