Gojek-Grab merger makes sense but hurdles mar its path

JAKARTA — Cutthroat rivals that have helped to drive Southeast Asia’s rapid digitization by burning through cash and preventing each other from moving toward the startup world’s new goal, profitability, are now talking about a common solution. Indonesia-based Gojek and Singapore-based Grab, have “casually” discussed merger options, according to two people familiar with the matter.… Continue reading Gojek-Grab merger makes sense but hurdles mar its path

Self-driving startup Pony.ai raises $500m in Toyota-led funding

Autonomous driving firm Pony.ai has raised around $500 million in its latest funding round, led by an investment by Japan’s largest automaker Toyota Motor Corp, two people with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters. Toyota’s cheque of around $400 million marks its biggest investment in an autonomous driving company with a Chinese background, the… Continue reading Self-driving startup Pony.ai raises $500m in Toyota-led funding

Grab and Gojek began discussing a potential merger more than three months ago

After a report that it is considering a potential merger with Grab, Gojek denied that it is planning a deal with its rival, but a source tells TechCrunch that the two companies have been talking for about three and a half months, beginning after Gojek founder and former CEO left the company in October to… Continue reading Grab and Gojek began discussing a potential merger more than three months ago

Fiat Chrysler and AutoX confirm plans to work on robotaxis

Sponsored Links AutoX Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is joining forces with the Chinese startup AutoX to bring self-driving robotaxis to China. The companies confirmed rumors of their partnership today and announced that the AutoX AI Driver platform will be installed in FCA Chrysler Pacificas. The robotaxis could appear in Chinese cities like Shenzhen and Shanghai… Continue reading Fiat Chrysler and AutoX confirm plans to work on robotaxis

ThunderSoft and Didi Chuxing Build Strategic Partnership Focusing on Intelligent Automotive Operating System

BEIJING, Feb. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — ThunderSoft( SZ:300496 ), a world-leading operating system technology provider, and Didi Chuxing (“DiDi”) today announced strategic collaboration to jointly bring superior intelligent automotive operating system products and solutions for automotive manufacturers and Tier1 suppliers. This partnership will largely accelerate the development of Intelligent Connected Vehicle (ICV) with the support of… Continue reading ThunderSoft and Didi Chuxing Build Strategic Partnership Focusing on Intelligent Automotive Operating System

SoftBank wants its on-demand portfolio to stop losing so much money

SoftBank wants its competing portfolio companies to stop losing so much money and, in some cases, to merge. That’s the news out from Financial Times today, which reported that Uber and DoorDash discussed merging last year. The talks didn’t wind up in a deal. The two companies, each heavily backed by SoftBank and its formerly… Continue reading SoftBank wants its on-demand portfolio to stop losing so much money

Cruise’s New ‘More Than A Concept’ Robotaxi Presages A Battle With Zoox – Forbes

Cruise, a unit of General Motors with investment from Honda, revealed a new “not a concept” self-driving vehicle last week. The vehicle is custom designed for self driving, with large sliding doors, electric drive and face-to-face seating.  Cruise CEO Dan Ammann outlined their vision for the vehicle and it has much in common with the robotaxi vision… Continue reading Cruise’s New ‘More Than A Concept’ Robotaxi Presages A Battle With Zoox – Forbes

Nio-backed ride-hailing app Dida looking to raise $300 million

Jan 17, 2020 2 min read (Image credit: Dida Chuxing) Chinese ride-hailing platform Dida Chuxing is seeking up to $300 million in pre-IPO funding from investors including Tencent, Chinese media reported Thursday. Why it matters: Beijing-based Dida is the second-largest ride-hailing service in China and one of the few to say it is profitable. If able… Continue reading Nio-backed ride-hailing app Dida looking to raise $300 million

Bolt raises €50M in venture debt from the EU to expand its ride-hailing business

Bolt, the billion-dollar startup out of Estonia that’s building a ride-hailing, scooter and food delivery business across Europe and Africa, has picked up a tranche of funding in its bid to take on Uber and the rest in the world of on-demand transportation. The company has picked up €50 million (about $56 million) from the European… Continue reading Bolt raises €50M in venture debt from the EU to expand its ride-hailing business