Shanghai (ZXZC)- Chinese state-owned automaker SAIC Motor formally launched its mobility brand known as “Xiangdao Chuxing” on December 18, saying it put the ride-hailing service into official operation from then on.

On November 12, the Shanghai-based automaker announced its foray into the ride-hailing domain by releasing its own strategic mobility brand “Xiangdao Chuxing” and then started the trial operation of the brand's first production line six days later.

Chen Hong, Chairman of SAIC Motor, stated at the launch ceremony that Xiangdao Chuxing has gained a favorable beginning during the one-month trial operation with over 600,000 users registered on the platform and serving more than 1 million kilometers.

The deployment of the new mobility platform will help SAIC Motor integrate its ride-hailing service with the hourly, short-term and long-term car rental businesses. Making use of the automaker's vehicle resources and such technologies as big data, AI and cloud computing, the mobility platform aims to provide users with one-stop and multi-journey booking mobility solutions.

“China has become the world's largest mobility market and its ride-hailing industry is projected to be valued at around $72 billion by 2020. The launch of 'Xiangdao Chuxing' is a signal that SAIC Motor is transforming to a 'national level mobility service provider',” said Wu Bing, CEO of Xiangdao Chuxing.

Aside from the ride-hailing service, the SAIC-owned mobility brand will also offer a complete set of mobility solutions, including technology platform, vehicle maintenance, credit financing as well as industrial insurance, etc.