Shouqi to outsource car hailing orders to rental firms

Shouqi Limousine and Chauffeur is aiming at the No 2 position in the market in 2017, and it will forge a platform sharing its management model and talents through strategic partnerships with car rental companies, rather than just operating its own car hailing business.

The Beijing-based technology company will share its data management platform and ordering system this year with car rental companies joining the network in the near future. It will help the company realize a win-win situation to tap the constantly expanding market.

Mid- to large-size car rental companies may have their business merged into Shouqi Limousine and Chauffeur, and the drivers will receive orders from the online car hailing platform. Unlike the Shouqi drivers and vehicles, these cars belong to the rental companies and the drivers contracted with the rental companies.

"We will ensure both the drivers and vehicles meet local governments' requirements. In fact, Shouqi Limousine and Chauffeur is stricter than the regulation," Wei Dong, CEO of Shouqi Limousine and Chauffeur, said.

While Beijing requires that a driver for a chauffeured car hailing service has no criminal record in the past five years, Shouqi Limousine and Chauffeur demands an eight-year clean record.

"Shouqi has the advantage in management and operation so we are able to maintain the premium quality in customer service and riding experience," Wei said.

Shouqi Limousine and Chauffeur, a subsidiary of the State-owned Shou Qi Group, is running 15,000 vehicles on the road, taking over 300,000 orders daily from more than 2 million active users in 33 major cities, including Beijing,Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

Wei is expecting to further expand the fleet in a speedy manner to meet stepped up customer demands.

The strategic partnership business model has been on a trial run with more than 20 major car rental companies in Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing and the high-quality service and experience is secured by systems of management, training, data and more related support, according to the company.

"We are hoping to join hands with more and more peers to head forward. We will formulate premium services together and will offer comfortable and convenient mobility experience together," Wei said.