Chinese ride-hailing giant Didi Chuxing is partnering with automaker BYD to produce customized electric vehicles for its transport business, Bloomberg reported citing people familiar with the matter.
The two companies have already produced a test batch of the customized electric car, the people said. The number of cars that will be produced is still to be determined as they undergo trials, one of the people said.
Driverless technology expected to save Didi 100 billion yuan a year in driver costs
Reuters reported earlier that BYD received approval from Chinaโs Ministry of Industry and Information Technology to sell an electric sedan model called D1 last month. A person close to Didi and BYDโs joint venture told Reuters D1 is the purpose-built vehicle for ride-hailing services developed by the two firms.
The report said the companies were trying to deliver the vehicles to Didiโs fleet partner companies within this year.
Didi said no response yet, according to 163.com.
Didi, Chinaโs biggest ride-hailing service provider, is developing a swathe of auto-related technologies.
It has launched several joint ventures with established automakers including Volkswagen, BAIC, and BYD to develop intelligent vehicles and fleet management.
China's ride-hailing giant Didi Chuxing tests driverless taxis in Shanghai
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