China's Didi Kuaidi ups stakes in taxi apps war

DOMINANT PLAYER: Didi Kuaidi, created in a merger in February, is the world's largest smartphone-based transport service, valued at roughly US$6bil (RM21.51bil), according to person familiar with the deal.

BEIJING: China's dominant taxi-hailing firm Didi Kuaidi will spend 1bil yuan (RM578.33mil) on promotions, the company said, in an aggressive expansion that will help lure in riders and fend of rivals like US firm Uber Technologies Inc. 

Alongside the basic cab calling function, users of the Didi Kuaidi app will have access to premium cars, carpooling, designated drivers and a service for passengers with special needs, the company said in a statement.