With the arrival of 1,000 vehicles from Chinese carmaker GAC Motor, the local government of Lagos State, Nigeria, recently launched LagRide－a "milestone" online ride-hailing project locally－to tackle transportation challenges confronted by the nation's business center.

The ride-hailing platform was proposed initially in 2019, said Yu Jun, director-general of the international business unit of GAC Group, the parent company of GAC Motor.

"We have overcome the impact brought on by many adverse factors, including the resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the supply shortage of automobile chips and congested global shipping services, and managed to make a successful landing of the project in Nigeria," Yu said.

The remarks were made during the launch ceremony of the project, a partnership between Lagos-based state-owned IBILE Holdings Ltd and CIG Motors Co Ltd, the dealer of GAC Motor in Nigeria, in late March.

The vehicles used for Lagos' ride-hailing taxi initiative, which operates on a lease-to-own basis, will be an example of clean and reliable taxi services at affordable costs in Lagos, Yu said.

"The online ride-hailing project provides us with an opportunity to expand our reputation by playing a bigger, more helpful role in local economic development in Nigeria," he said.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos State, said during the launch ceremony that with this sole initiative, the positive effects it will have on employment, economic growth, and local development cannot be overstated.

"What we are witnessing is that Lagos is moving away from the era of rickety kabu kabu (illegal cabs) to a brand-new, comfortable and safe transport system," the governor said.

To improve drivers' and passengers' security, a full security gadget, including a 360 dashboard camera that will give 24-hour audio-visual feeds to the control center, has been preinstalled on GAC vehicles for the project, with models covering the GS3 SUVs and GA4 sedans, which feature artificial intelligence technology and spacious cabins.

Apart from the cooperation on LagRide, an automobile assembly plant for GAC motors is under construction in Lagos by CIG Motors and the local government. The plant is expected to start operations in September, Sanwo-Olu said.

GAC Motor, based in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, focuses on in-house vehicle manufacturing and has been ramping up overseas expansion for years.

The company's overseas business reached an all-time high in 2021, with annual sales soaring 72.5 percent to more than 20,000 units, said Zeng Hebin, general manager of GAC Motor.

"Major breakthroughs have been made in many overseas markets. We also expanded our sales channels and showrooms last year," Zeng said.

The company has seen a bigger presence in many markets, including Kuwait, Nigeria, Ecuador, Chile and Saudi Arabia especially, where the company's sales increased 88 percent year-on-year in 2021, Zeng said.

GAC Motor also began a partnership last year with Stellantis Group, a leading global automaker and provider of innovative mobility solutions, to explore the Mexican market through a co-branding model, with its first batch of co-branded Dodge Journeys being exported to Mexico in September.

"Following a strong network of international distributors, we will make our intelligent and new energy vehicles more closely connected with the global market," Zeng said.