State-owned enterprises team up to tap into transportation market

Two Chinese State-owned enterprises are set to cooperate in car-sharing and car-hailing in a bid to step up efforts to tap into opportunities in smart transportation.

Shou Qi Group Co Ltd, a major car-rental and taxi firm in China, has signed a deal with Wangfujing Group Co Ltd, a big retailing group, to better integrate shopping in transportation services.

Under the deal, Shou Qi will deploy cars and equipment – including docking stations for shared cars– near the department stores, shopping centers, outlets and supermarkets of Wangfujing.

Wangfujing has a total of 55 stores in more than 30 cities across China, and Shou Qi has a wide presence in the transportation sector with three platforms: Shou Qi Car Rental and Leasing, Shou Qi Limousine and Chauffeur, and Gofun Chu Xing, which offers car-sharing, car-hailing and car-rental services.

According to the two organizations, Shou Qi will establish a service, called the Wangfujing Green Travel Station, where people will be able to find and access shared cars or use car-hailing.

Wei Dong, chief operating officer of Shou Qi Car Rental and Leasing，said it was hard to find a parking space nowadays and people had to pay parking fees.

He added, with cooperation of the two companies, consumers will easily find exclusive parking spaces without having to pay a fee. It will also be convenient for consumers to rent and return cars, which will make shopping processes more economic and green, Wei said.

"Through our cooperation, more space will be spared for the road and at the same time, more chances will be added to the business, which will maximize the efficiency of the shopping process," he said.