OLA is aggressively expanding its overseas operations, entering New Zealand after it entered into the Australian and UK markets earlier this year. Many industry participants believe that by entering Uber-dominated geographies, OLA is pressurising Uber to merge its Indian operations with it. Softbank, a common investor in both companies, also wants them to merge their operations and end price-wars in India, just like in China, where Didi merged with Uber. OLA is said to have had talks with Uber last year about merging their operations in India.
To gain share in New Zealand, OLA is following the strategy it followed in the UK and that many new entrants follow i.e. lure drivers by offering introductory lowest industry commissions. OLA is also promising daily payments to drivers, and enhanced passenger safety via 24/7 voice support, screened drivers, option to share details and emergency contacts.
Apart from Uber, local ride-hailing company Zoomy and female-only ride hailing company, DriveHer, which starts operations in late 2018, are its major competitors.– Aman Madhok