I'm not sure what the key characteristics of a great automated car network will be, but I think there will some differentiation in a way where the difference can't be made up by spending, even on the scale of which tech giants are capable. Probably some combination of price, availability, and infrastructure. Maybe a similar customer relationship to what the telcos have right now.
For example, what if Uber "builds" (finances and badges) their own car, and you really like it (no reason it can't still have a steering wheel). What if they are willing to enter a one year agreement where it is cleaned and parked in your driveway at 4AM every Mon-Fri morning to take you to work when you're ready. Or if they have a parking lot near your office with 100 cars where you can just walk up to any car, open the door, and go. Or if they have an automated electric vehicle charging network over the whole country. It will take a while to discover what really matters for a AI-car network.
