Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba and top electric vehicle (EV) battery maker Contemporary Amperex Technology
Co Ltd (CATL) have invested over 300 million yuan ($45.8 million) in state-owned automaker SAIC Motor’s ride-
hailing unit Xiangdao Chuxing.
The new investment, which is Xiangdao’s Series A round, marks the startup’s upgrade into a “one-stop mobility
solutions” platform that offers not only ride-hailing services but also taxi and car rental services targeting both
individual and corporate clients, said Xiangdao in a statement on December 18.
Xiangdao, also known as SAIC Mobility, was launched in 2018 as part of SAIC Motor’s four major development
strategies that sought to enhance its capabilities in “electrification, intelligent connecting, ride-sharing, and
globalisation.”
Besides car rental and car-hailing businesses, the firm is also involved in vehicle operation, maintenance & repair,
auto financing, and car insurance services.
As part of the deal, Alibaba and CATL will forge in-depth cooperation with Xiangdao in autonomous driving, new
energy, and big data, among others, to help the firm differentiate its offerings from existing market players including
Beijing-based ride-hailing giant Didi Chuxing.
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