San-Francisco's Lyft is to partner China's largest ride-hailing service, Didi Kuaidi, which puts the company in direct competition to Uber. In July, Didi Kuaidi cited data from research firm Analysys International as showing it held a dominant position in the Chinese market, with 80pc of private car services and 99pc of the taxi-hailing market. Lyft and Didi will both provide services that let drivers connect with passengers via a combined smartphone app, which will allow passengers to use their usual app whilst travelling abroad, just like they would at home; Didi is also investing $100m in Lyft. The deal comes as Uber has been under fire for its treatment of drivers, who have complained about being underpaid or not getting enough hours on the job. However, Uber has faced a number of roadblocks from Chinese regulators, whereas, Didi, being a local company, has a good relationship with government regulators, which may give Lyft a competitive advantage.
San-Francisco's Lyft is to partner China's largest ride-hailing service, Didi Kuaidi, which puts the company in direct competition to Uber. Lyft and Didi will both provide services that let drivers connect with passengers via a combined smartphone app, which will allow passengers to use their usual app whilst travelling abroad, just like they would at home; Didi is also investing $100m in Lyft. The deal comes as Uber has been under fire for its treatment of drivers, who have complained about being underpaid or not getting enough hours on the job. However, Uber has faced a number of roadblocks from Chinese regulators, whereas, Didi, being a local company, has a good relationship with government regulators, which may give Lyft a competitive advantage.