Anamika Dey , editor
Brief news
Uber and BYD have formed a partnership to provide special pricing and financing options for BYD’s electric cars to Uber drivers in Europe and Latin America. The companies will also collaborate on creating autonomous-capable vehicles for Uber’s platform. Despite the EU’s decision to raise tariffs on Chinese-made electric cars, the partnership aims to bring 100,000 BYD cars to Uber. BYD, a leading force in China’s electric car market, has outperformed Tesla in vehicle production and expanded its presence overseas. The companies plan to expand their agreement to include the Middle East, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Detailed news
In Beijing— Uber and BYD have recently announced an exciting partnership. Drivers on the ride-hailing platform will now have access to special pricing and financing options for BYD’s electric cars. This opportunity will initially be available in Europe and Latin America, providing drivers with a convenient and eco-friendly transportation solution.
The two companies will collaborate on creating “autonomous-capable vehicles” for Uber’s platform, as stated in a press release.
Despite the EU’s decision to raise tariffs on imports of Chinese-made electric cars, Uber and BYD have announced a multi-year strategic partnership. This partnership has the potential to bring 100,000 BYD cars to Uber.
“We are extremely excited about the advantages this partnership will bring to drivers, riders, and cities,” stated Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi in the press release.
BYD, based in Shenzhen, has established itself as a leading force in China’s electric car market. The company has outperformed Tesla in total vehicle production for two consecutive years and has significantly expanded its presence overseas, including making investments in factories abroad.
Chuanfu Wang, the chairman and president of BYD, expressed his enthusiasm for collaborating with Uber in a joint statement. He emphasized the shared dedication of both companies to driving innovation for a more environmentally friendly world.
The press release stated that the two companies have intentions to broaden their agreement to include the Middle East, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
In the past year, BYD successfully exported over 240,000 cars to a staggering 70 countries. The company has set a goal to significantly increase its vehicle exports this year.
Stella Li, the executive vice president at BYD and CEO of BYD Americas, expressed excitement about the collaboration, stating that it signifies a new era in the electrification of urban mobility. She also expressed optimism about the widespread adoption of their advanced EVs in cities across the globe.
The release did not mention the specific car models, but it did provide a promotional image featuring three cars: BYD’s Seal sedan, Seal U SUV, and Atto 3 SUV. The three cars can be found on BYD’s Europe website.
BYD and Didi
In 2020, BYD developed a custom electric car called the D1 specifically for Didi, a Chinese ride-hailing operator. Last summer, BYD made an announcement regarding the arrival of 300 D1 electric cars in Brazil for Didi’s local subsidiary 99.
In 2016, Didi purchased Uber’s China business for a whopping $35 billion. The Chinese ride-hailing operator went public in the U.S. in 2021, but faced intense regulatory scrutiny and decided to delist less than a year later.
In May 2023, Didi made an exciting announcement about its new joint venture with GAC Aion. This collaboration will focus on the mass production of an electric robotaxi, marking a significant step forward for the company.
In April of that year, a spokesperson from BYD expressed skepticism about the feasibility of fully autonomous driving, suggesting that the technology would be better suited for manufacturing purposes.
Source : CNBC News
