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Uber to merge China business with rival Didi Chuxing, reports say Uber to merge China business with rival Didi Chuxing, reports say
(about 1 hour later)
Ride-hailing firm Uber has reportedly agreed to merge its business in China with much bigger rival Didi Chuxing. Taxi-booking app firm Uber has agreed to merge its business in China with giant rival Didi Chuxing, reports say.
According to Bloomberg, the $35bn (£26bn) deal will give Uber China, which is owned by US-based Uber, Chinese internet giant Baidu and others, a 20% stake in the company.According to Bloomberg, the $35bn (£26bn) deal will give Uber China, which is owned by US-based Uber, Chinese internet giant Baidu and others, a 20% stake in the company.
Uber China launched in 2014 but so far has failed to make any profit.Uber China launched in 2014 but so far has failed to make any profit.
The two have been fierce competitors for years but Didi Chuxing has remained the dominant market leader. The two have been fierce competitors for years but Didi Chuxing dominates the market.
As of May, Didi Chuxing said it provided more than than 11 million rides a day and claims to have 87% of the market share in China. Didi Chuxing says it provides more than than 14 million journeys a day and claims to have 87% of the market share in China.
The company is backed by Chinese internet giants Tencent and Alibaba, and has also invested in Uber's rival US ride-sharing service Lyft. The company is backed by Chinese internet giants Tencent and Alibaba, and has also invested in Uber's rival US taxi-booking service Lyft.
Big lossesBig losses
"Funding their China dreams was becoming too expensive for Uber," Duncan Clark, chairman of Beijing-based consultancy BDA, told the BBC."Funding their China dreams was becoming too expensive for Uber," Duncan Clark, chairman of Beijing-based consultancy BDA, told the BBC.
"Many saw it as an obstacle to their own IPO (Initial Public Offering).""Many saw it as an obstacle to their own IPO (Initial Public Offering)."
Uber has been struggling to break into the Chinese market despite having Chinese search engine Baidu as an investor.Uber has been struggling to break into the Chinese market despite having Chinese search engine Baidu as an investor.
In February, the company admitted it was losing more than $1bn a year in China, spending huge sums to subsidise discounted rides. In February, the company admitted it was losing more than $1bn a year in China, spending huge sums to subsidise discounted fares.
Didi Chuxing in brief:
"One thing to watch carefully is how quickly consumers feel the impact as subsidies are withdrawn," Mr Clark added."One thing to watch carefully is how quickly consumers feel the impact as subsidies are withdrawn," Mr Clark added.
The fierce rivalry had led both companies to heavily subsidise their rides. The merger is likely to see fewer such subsidies. The fierce rivalry had led both companies to heavily subsidise their journeys. The merger is likely to see fewer such subsidies.
New rulesNew rules
The reported deal with Didi Chuxing comes just days after China agreed to provide a legal framework for ride-hailing apps. The reported deal with Didi Chuxing comes just days after China agreed to provide a legal framework for taxi-ordering apps.
Both Uber and Didi have welcomed the decision, having previously operated in a legal grey area in the country.Both Uber and Didi have welcomed the decision, having previously operated in a legal grey area in the country.
While the ride-hailing apps are widely popular, they have undermined business for normal taxis and have been met with protests by cab drivers. While the apps are widely popular, they have undermined business for normal taxis and have been met with protests by cab drivers.
The new rules will take effect on November 1 and will amongst other things forbid ridesharing platforms to operate below cost, also likely to restrict the scope to offer subsidies. The new rules will take effect on November 1 and will among other things forbid such platforms to operate below cost, also likely to restrict the scope to offer subsidies.