DiDi’s open car-hailing platform kicks off operation in Guangzhou

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Chinese ride-hailing giant DiDi Chuxing (DiDi) has recently launched its open car-hailing platform in Guangzhou, capital of China's Guangdong Province, according to a local media report.

In the meantime, OnTime, a mobile transportation platform newly launched by GAC Group, is given the access to DiDi's open platform as part of the step-up collaboration between the mobility service provider and the Guangzhou-based automaker.

Didi Chuxing started a toe-in-the-water exercise in “aggregation platform” as early as May by allowing third-party mobility service providers to connect with passengers via Didi's App. Passengers in Chengdu, capital of China's Sichuan Province, are able to use the new function after “Miaozou Dache” was connected to Didi's platform on May 23 of 2019.

Didi Chuxing and GAC Group cemented their cooperation on June 26 after they forged a strategic partnership in April 2018. This time, both parties were going to carry out collaboration in such areas as vehicle promotion, customized services, operation as well as ride-hailing service and autonomous driving.

GAC Group officially launched its mobility service platform “OnTime” on the same day. Aside from GAC Group, Tencent and Guangzhou Public Transport, Didi Chuxing is also among the investors of the new mobility program.

By virtue of the big data analysis capability and operational experience in car-hailing field, Didi is able to provide OnTime with its technology platform, supply-demand matching & transaction strategies, and other abilities in driver & passenger experience enhancement, marketing & branding, customer service respond & disposal mechanisms.

In April 2018, DiDi launched DiDi Auto Alliance by bringing together 31 auto-industry partners, including GAC Group, to jointly build an open platform for automotive operations with the aim to advance a broader transportation transformation through pan-industry collaboration.

DiDi formally opened up its ride-hailing platform to third-party mobility service providers in a bid to converge more mobility resources to meet intensified travelling demands at rush hours.

The announcement came as Didi forged partnership with two state-owned auto groups, FAW Group and Dongfeng Motor Corporation.