Didi Chuxing, the largest ride-hailing firm in China, has entered into a partnership with state-owned automotive firm BAIC to ‘develop next-generation connected car systems’.

The joint venture, called ‘JingJu’, will see Didi team up with BAIC affiliate Beijing Electric Vehicle to combine expertise on new energy fleet operation and AI transportation. Although, it’s not clear what the pair will work on within these areas in particular.

Didi has formed several partnerships with automakers and fleet operators over the last few years, launching the Didi Auto Alliance – an industry-chain partnership network – in April 2018. Shortly after, it pumped $1bn into its automobile services business, renaming it as Xiaoju Automobile Solutions. This platform is a collaborative driver/car owner service.

BAIC plans to stop the manufacturing and sale of gas-driven car models by 2025. Around 400,00 new energy vehicles are currently registered with Didi, as such, part of the partnership will look at adding to these electric vehicles.