Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi, the world’s leading automotive alliance, announced it is one of the partners of DiDi Auto Alliance (the D-Alliance), which was formed by DiDi Chuxing (‘DiDi’), the top Chinese mobile transportation platform.
The DiDi Auto Alliance is an intelligent ride-sharing alliance initiated by DiDi that empowers and redefines smart mobility. By promoting the new energy automotive industry with partners along the value chain, it aims to unite all members to transform the business model of the automotive industry, and establish itself as the world’s largest full-capacity vehicle operator platform.
Ogi Redzic, senior vice president of Connected Vehicles and Mobility Services for Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi said, “We share a common vision with DiDi in our pursuit of clean, safe mobility for all. China is a key market for Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi and we plan to work in close partnership with market leaders like DiDi to shape the future of smart mobility in China.”
Cheng Wei, Founder and CEO of DiDi, said, “We will empower our partners by providing collaboration aspects ranging from auto leasing and sales, auto finance, auto service, fleet operation to car-sharing solutions. The goal is to create more value for our partners, user community, and the society.”
Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi signed a memorandum of understanding with DiDi in February to explore the possibility of future business cooperation on a new electric vehicle car-sharing program in the People’s Republic of China. The memorandum of understanding signed with DiDi is in line with the exploration of new mobility services at the Alliance, including the launch of robo-vehicle ride-hailing services, as part of the Alliance 2022 strategic midterm plan launched last year by Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi.
As the world’s largest automotive group in unit sales, the Alliance is accelerating convergence and synergy initiatives in a range of new automotive technologies. By the end of its strategic plan, the Alliance will launch 12 pure electric models worldwide, utilizing common EV platforms and components, while also bringing to market 40 vehicles worldwide with autonomous drive technology and developing robo-vehicle ride-hailing services.
To support this plan, the Alliance also launched Alliance Ventures, a new corporate venture capital fund that plans to invest up to $1 billion to support open innovation over the next five years.
Last year Cheng Wei, announced the world’s largest mobility platform is working to build its own charging networks for electric vehicles (EVs).
“We have started new joint venture projects to build our own EV charging systems. DiDi’s charging networks will not only cover our own fleet. It will also serve families and the public,” said Cheng, at a sustainable energy summit jointly sponsored by the United Nations and the Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization (GEIDCO).