China carmakers to set up state-owned ride-sharing
China’s state-owned car manufacturers FAW, Dongfeng and Changan have set up ride-hailing service T3 Mobile Travel Services in order to rival the almighty Didi Chuxing. The platform builds on their existing EV alliance and is to deploy self-driving robo cabs.
The three companies largely owned by the Chinese state had signed said agreement back in December. The latest announcement takes the electric car cooperation into “the field of shared travel, which provides an opportunity to transform traditional car enterprises,” a notice posted by Changan reads.
FAW, Dongfeng and Changan have not issued any more detail but their way into the market may be a stony one. Ridesharing in China is dominated by Didi Chuxing, a Chinese equivalent to Uber. The company has recently engaged a number of partners, the latest being Continental reportedly. Didi wants to launch their own fleet of custom-made electric cars using their software, hence why they need carmakers to build the fleet.
For the new T3 Mobile Travel Services though, the problem will not be about building electric cars but working software and lastly access to the user base. Their promise to date: enhanced security and easier customisation.
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