Hangzhou, China — BASF and DiDi, a China-based mobile transportation platform, recently signed a strategic cooperation agreement.
According to the agreement, BASF will provide DiDi with sustainable automotive refinish products developed at its research and production site in Jiangmen. These products, specifically designed for the Chinese market, will reduce VOC emissions and meet the rigid regulations implemented in several cities throughout China.
As strategic partners, the two companies are committed to the sustainable development of the carsharing industry in and out of China. Paint-related products under the RODIM® brand will also be a part of the offerings to help body shops enhance workflow and overall performance for automotive refinishing. In addition, a dedicated expert team from BASF will provide timely professional technical services for DiDi, including training for body shop operators.
DiDi currently has 25 body and paint shops in China and will be expanding to more than 200 owned and franchised shops globally by the end of this year. Since 2012, DiDi has been a leader in the online-hailing business, accounting for 90 percent of the total carsharing market in China, which reached CNY$300 billion in 2019. DiDi’s fleet consists of 300,000 cars and is projected to reach one million in 2022.
BASF first approached DiDi and Xiaoju Autocare in late 2019 and secured its first business opportunities by early 2020.
“DiDi is a typical unicorn company. One of the factors that connect us is our ability to respond to market needs quickly,” said Patrick Zhao, Senior Vice President Coatings Solutions Asia Pacific, BASF in an online news release. “The strategic cooperation will enable us to explore the carsharing market and bring this partnership to a new level. DiDi will offer consumers a preferred choice of carsharing. At the same time, BASF will contribute to the sustainable development of the refinish industry with our global network of presence, comprehensive automotive portfolio, and a vast talent pool.”
