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Uber taps Hertz to clean, charge, and fix its Lucid Motors robotaxis

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Uber’s forthcoming luxury robotaxi service with Lucid Motors and Nuro is getting a fourth partner: Hertz.

The companies announced Thursday that Hertz will provide “day-to-day vehicle asset management, including charging, maintenance, repairs, cleaning, and depot staffing.” The service, announced last year, is supposed to launch by the end of 2026 in the San Francisco Bay Area, using Lucid’s Gravity SUVs and Nuro’s self-driving tech.

Hertz is handling this work through a newly-established affiliate it’s calling Oro Mobility, which the rental company says will “provide integrated fleet management solutions across a range of mobility segments.”

“As the industry transitions from personally owned vehicles to commercially operated driver-led and autonomous fleets, Oro aims to fill a critical orchestration and operations gap,” the Hertz press release reads.

This is not the first time Hertz, which went through a bankruptcy restructuring process in 2020, has followed new mobility trends.

The company made a big splash in 2021 when it announced it was buying 100,000 EVs from Tesla, news that helped Elon Musk’s car company reach a $1 trillion valuation for the first time (and helped Hertz’s image as it emerged from bankruptcy). Hertz also announced plans in 2022 to buy up to 175,000 EVs from General Motors, and another 65,000 from Polestar.

None of those deals were ever fully realized, and Hertz started a fire sale of the EVs it had bought in early 2024. It did that in part because of higher-than-expected maintenance costs due to Uber drivers renting the EVs, and because Tesla slashed prices to stave off competition and boost sales.

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Starting up a fleet management and operations arm, though, should be closer to Hertz’s core competencies as a rental car giant. Competitors like Avis are already doing this kind of work for Waymo. And with robotaxi companies seemingly keen to use third parties to manage this piece of the puzzle, Hertz could build a decent business with Oro.

To wit, Hertz and Uber said Thursday that they will “explore expansion opportunities in 2027.” Uber has deals with dozens of autonomous vehicle companies around the world, and has plans to order at least 35,000 robotaxi-ready vehicles from Lucid Motors alone in the coming years. It’s starting with 10,000 Gravity SUVs, and recently announced plans to order another 25,000 EVs from Lucid Motors that will be based on its upcoming mid-sized platform. (Uber also now owns more than 11% of Lucid Motors as part of investments it has made alongside the vehicle orders.)

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2027: Peter Obi not loss to ADC, he’s having fun in NDC – Atiku’s aide

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Special Assistant to the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, says the exit of former Anambra state governor, Peter Obi, from the ADC was never a loss to the party.

Speaking during an interview on Trust TV on Sunday, Shaibu said Obi was having fun in the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC.

He was speaking on the exit of Obi from the ADC early last month.

Recall that Obi and former presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, Rabi’u Kwankwaso, dumped the ADC for the NDC, citing internal divisions and court cases.

Airing his own opinion, Atiku’s aide said, “I don’t see Peter Obi’s exit as a loss to the ADC. Peter has found a haven in the NDC or wherever he is. He’s simply having fun there.

“Let me tell you something. In that place, they have what we call the office of the Supreme Leader.

“That’s the only party in Nigeria where I have not seen the party officials. I’ve never heard the party chairman. I’ve never heard of the party secretary. I only hear from their Supreme Leader.”

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DO-OR-DIE AT SHOWTIME: Warriors Eye Final Spot As Knights And Rebels Prepare For Winner-Takes-All Showdown

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The road to the Showtime Bowl reaches a dramatic crossroads today as Showtime Arena, Meadow Hall, Lekki prepares to host one of the biggest nights in Showtime Flag Football history.

After an electrifying first leg that produced intense battles, playoff drama, and an unforgettable 82-point thriller, the Showtime Bowl Series XIV Playoffs return today for the decisive second leg — where championship dreams will survive or die.

Four teams remain in the hunt.

Only two will move one step closer to lifting the Showtime Bowl trophy.

And by the end of tonight, the playoff picture will look completely different.

The opening matchup of the evening sees the Abia-Warriors return to battle the Ibom Raptors after securing a hard-fought 21-13 victory in the first leg.

The Warriors once again showed why they have become one of the most dominant teams in Showtime football, using their experience and discipline to take an eight-point advantage into today’s clash.

But despite the defeat, the Raptors left the first leg with renewed belief.

Unlike previous meetings where the Warriors completely controlled the contest, the Raptors fought fiercely and proved they have the talent to challenge one of the league’s biggest powerhouses.

Now they face their biggest test yet.

Can the Raptors produce the comeback that could shake the entire league?

Or will the Warriors continue their march toward another championship appearance?

With stars on both sides capable of changing a game in an instant, the opening playoff battle promises tension, physicality, and elite football from the first whistle.

Then comes the game everyone is talking about.

The Lagos Knights and Lagos Rebels return to the field after producing one of the greatest playoff spectacles in Showtime history.

Their first-leg encounter ended in a breathtaking 41-41 draw, leaving absolutely nothing between two of the hottest teams in the league.

It was football at its finest.

Touchdowns. Big plays. Momentum swings. Pure entertainment.

Now the rivalry enters its final chapter.

The Knights arrive carrying momentum from their remarkable rise during the postseason, including a dominant 59-0 Wildcard victory that announced them as serious contenders.

The Rebels, meanwhile, continue to play with confidence, swagger, and the fearless attacking style that has made them one of the most dangerous teams in the playoffs.

Today there will be no second chances.

No draws.

No escape.

One team advances. One team’s season ends.

The atmosphere inside Showtime Arena is expected to be electric as players, coaches, and supporters prepare for what could become one of the defining nights of the Showtime Bowl Series XIV season.

From rising stars and fierce rivalries to unforgettable moments and championship ambitions, Showtime Flag Football continues to showcase why it remains one of the fastest-growing and most exciting sports platforms in Nigeria.

Today is about more than football.

It is about pride.

It is about legacy.

It is about earning the right to continue the journey.

Four teams enter Showtime Arena with dreams of championship glory.

By the end of tonight, only the strongest will remain standing on the Road to the Showtime Bowl.

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