Uber's Gross Bookings Are Up 25% and It Just Launched an Autonomous Vehicle Unit. Is This the Transportation Stock to Own in 2026?

Uber reported Q1 gross bookings growth of 25% alongside 10% revenue growth to $13.2 billion, powered by its mobility and delivery segments. The company simultaneously launched Uber Autonomous Solutions, a new unit dedicated to self-driving technology following significant investments in the space.

The stock has declined 14.7% over the past year, underperforming the broader market despite the operational momentum. The lag reflects investor uncertainty around autonomous vehicle implementation challenges and the timeline to commercialization. Uber's push into AVs creates both a long-term catalyst and near-term execution risk as the company navigates regulatory hurdles and technology development costs.

The Motley Fool analyst views the current weakness as a buying opportunity, arguing the core business strength—evidenced by double-digit bookings and revenue growth—offsets autonomous vehicle headwinds. The launch of the dedicated AV unit signals management's commitment to capturing the self-driving market while the existing mobility and delivery businesses continue scaling.