ComfortDelGro has to disrupt itself

THIS month, it was reported that San Francisco-based ridehailing startup Uber could be selling its South-east Asian business to Singapore-based competitor Grab. The move is reportedly to help Uber reel in its costs in the region - where it is bleeding from intense competition with Grab and Indonesia's Go-Jek - in preparation for an initial public offering as soon as next year.

While Grab and Uber have refused to comment on the speculation, The Business Times understands from industry sources that it is more or less a done deal; only the timing is uncertain. When the deal takes place, the outcome for Grab and Uber is obvious. The fo…