The investment of US $ 1,000 million that Apple Inc. has done in the Chinese company Didi Technology Co. ChuXing reflects the intensifying battle for the future of the automotive industry and highlights new alliances between automakers, technology companies and taxi booking companies.
the competition to manufacture and offer promises autonomous driving cars face, among others, the two most valuable companies in the world, Apple and Alphabet Inc., the parent of google not only each other but also against Uber Technologies Inc., a rival of Didi and firm backed by venture capital unlisted world’s most valuable bag.
All these hope to capitalize on the historic transition from internal combustion engines to software controlled and integrated circuits, which are essentially computers wheeled electric vehicles. At the same time, booking services taxis are redefining the traditional concept of urban transport, putting into question the future of car ownership and public transportation.
The investment Apple puts in the same land Chinese Internet giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and Tencent Holdings Ltd., who are also investors Didi and Uber biggest rival in the United States, Lyft, which last year received an investment of Didi.
However, the battle involves much more than booking taxis. Lyft investors include General Motors Co., which advances in autonomous driving technology. Last week, Lyft revealed that next year will test a fleet of electric taxis without drivers, a joint venture with GM.
Most major automakers, including GM and Toyota Motor Corp., is investing in its own technology for autonomous driving cars. Alphabet and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV anticipate using technology first in a test with 100 Chrysler minivans. Meanwhile, Tesla Motors Inc. already offers autonomous driving functions that frees drivers use hand and foot when the car has to stop and start repeatedly, and when running at constant speed.
Apple takes 2 years researching
for Apple, the deal erased any doubt that might exist about the extent of his interest in cars. The iPhone maker has been working for two years in the technology of electric and autonomous vehicles. He formed a team of 1,000 employees with internal and external personnel.
Apple’s investment strengthens its position in China, its second largest market. “The change in Apple’s strategy to invest on such a scale highlights the strategic importance of the Chinese market for Apple, both in terms of the magnitude of the opportunity and the need for knowledge and local associations,” says Jack Kent , director of the mobile sector research firm IHS technology.
Didi, which is valued at US $ 25,000 million, is an unusual investment for Apple, which has so far preferred to buy startups small and absorb technology in their own products. This is your biggest investment since 2014 acquired for US $ 3,000 million hearing aid manufacturer and service provider of streaming music Beats Electronics, a deal that helped launch Apple Music.
It is also unusual that finance startups. But that could be changing. Apple CEO Tim Cook recently highlighted the strength of the finances of the company, noting that had the “mother of all balances” including US $ 233,000 million in cash. In an interview in January with The Wall Street Journal, Cook said the cash “worth more” during periods of economic crisis like the one now facing many startups, as valuations sink and funding slows.
Apple has not publicly confirmed their interest in cars, but Cook has said the auto industry is on the verge of a “massive change” in which software and technology autonomous driving will play an increasingly important role.
Uber also competes
the investment also highlights the speed and the spectacular panorama change in the transport sector. Apple’s investment strengthens Uber a rival in a market where the latter is not a leader. UberChina, the subsidiary of Uber in China, competes with Didi to attract drivers and investors.
Uber faces a battle with regulators around the world and struggle to quell unrest among their drivers in some of the more than 400 cities where it operates. Now competes with a rival with potential access to technology and marketing Apple could go far to try to reach millions of new users and develop the next generation of transport.
In a way, without But the leader in the business of booking taxis has used his money to carve out a competitive position rather than having to rely on the help of partners. Last year, when a number of technology giants like Apple and Alphabet, increased their investments in research of autonomous vehicles, Uber hired 40 of the best scientists and researchers of robotics in the world of Carnegie Mellon University and started his own autonomous vehicle project in a new technology center in Pittsburgh.
Eva Dou and Rick Carew contributed to this article.
large most major automakers, including GM and Toyota Motor Corp., is investing in its own technology for autonomous driving cars.
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