Episode 31: The Uber - Didi Chuxing Merger with Brad Stone, author of The Upstarts & The Everything Store

In this episode of Acquired, Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal host Brad Stone to discuss the merger between Uber and Didi Chuxing in China. The conversation begins by setting the stage in 2012, when Uber was expanding internationally and facing competition. Brad Stone shares insights from his book, "The Upstarts," detailing the aggressive tactics used by Chinese companies in the ride-sharing market. The hosts and Brad analyze the roles of major Chinese internet companies like Tencent and Alibaba in funding and influencing the ride-sharing war. They explore Uber's entry into China, its initial struggles, and its eventual retreat, discussing the factors that led to Didi's dominance. The conversation touches on the regulatory environment, the impact of company culture, and the future of the ride-sharing market, including the potential of driverless car technology. The episode concludes with a discussion on the long-term sustainability of the business models employed by Uber and Didi, and the hosts provide their grades on the acquisition.