Didi sets up $278 mln special fund

Visitors check out an autonomous driving vehicle at Didi's booth during a high-tech expo in Beijing in October. (ZHANG HAIYAN/FOR CHINA DAILY)

China's largest ride-hailing platform Didi is stepping up efforts to enhance driver recruitment and spur consumption with a 2 billion yuan ($278 million) special fund, to reinforce its role as a critical "employment reservoir" amid challenges.

The investment focuses on three interconnected pillars: stabilizing employment in regions impacted by trade tensions, stimulating consumer spending, and helping manufacturing go global, Didi said.

Yan Hui, head of Didi's driver operations, said: "In the context of deepening integration between the digital and real economies, Didi is steadfast in creating viable reemployment pathways. We recognize our responsibility to function as an economic stabilizer during periods of transition and are fully committed to fulfilling this vital societal role."

According to Yan, the company's substantial fund is designed to create a powerful virtuous cycle: stabilizing employment enables greater consumption, which in turn powers industrial transformation and global competitiveness. "Didi remains dedicated to fostering high-quality employment opportunities and will continue to execute this strategy in close alignment with regulatory guidance," he said.

About 1 billion yuan from the 2 billion yuan plan, first announced in April, will be specifically used to enhance driver recruitment, welfare, and income stability.

This initiative prioritizes regions significantly affected by recent trade disputes. The platform will intensify efforts to recruit unemployed blue-collar workers, female drivers, and individuals without personal vehicles.

Recognizing the barrier vehicle ownership presents, Didi said it will collaborate with partners to offer comprehensive rent-to-drive programs and vehicle purchase support, effectively lowering industry entry barriers for unemployed blue-collar workers and priority groups.

Beyond recruitment, the funding will directly increase driver subsidies, optimize earnings structure, and strengthen welfare protections, Didi added.

Illustrating this commitment, Didi distributed over 400 million yuan in supplemental earnings to drivers during the May Day holiday period alone.

Furthermore, Didi has established Driver Day welfare stations in multiple cities across the country, including Beijing, Wuhan, and Changsha, where drivers can participate in team sports competitions and garden parties while receiving holiday care packages such as rice and cooking oil.

A parallel allocation of 1 billion yuan is designated for passenger-side incentives aimed at stimulating travel demand and associated spending. Platform data demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach, revealing that every 1 yuan invested in travel vouchers typically generates approximately 5 yuan in ride-hailing expenditure. Didi will deploy these funds through precision subsidies and innovative service offerings tailored to emerging consumption scenarios.

The third pillar of Didi's investment supports the internationalization of China's manufacturing sector, specifically its electric vehicle ambitions. The company has set concrete targets to deploy 100,000 Chinese-manufactured electric vehicles within the Mexican market by 2030.

Complementing this effort, Didi is partnering with its Brazilian subsidiary, 99, to co-develop a network of 10,000 public charging points specifically designed to support Chinese EV brands globally. This infrastructure development is crucial for facilitating the overseas adoption of China's new energy vehicles, which will also create job opportunities in China, Didi said.

According to the company, its platform continues to provide significant income opportunities. In 2024 alone, several million drivers earned income through Didi, with the platform maintaining an average commission rate of 15 percent. Notably, more than 1.05 million women drivers in China leveraged the platform's flexible work opportunities, Didi said.

Liang Xiao is a 33-year-old driver on Didi's platform.

Liang finishes all his chores at home by 6 am before expertly starting her engine and accepting ride requests.

The former owner of a blind massage parlor has now transitioned into a ride-hailing driver on Didi's platform, and earns a relatively stable monthly income from the platform.

"The flexible hours allow me to care for my family at home, and the driver service managers personally guide me through order-taking techniques," Liang said.