Here’s How the Billion Dollar Investment in China’s Didi Chuxing Could Benefit Apple

Back in May of this year, news stories about Apple’s surprise investment of $1 billion in ‘The Chinese Uber’, Didi Chuxing, sent shock waves through the tech world — as notable analysts, industry insiders, and good old Apple fanatics, alike, speculated wildly, some thinking, “why on Earth did Apple even bother?”

In a sound state of mind, fully knowing the successful advances Didi had been making to buy out Uber’s Chinese operations at the time, what multi-billion dollar business prospects could Apple have possibly foreseen when opening up its piggy bank to Didi Chuxing last July?

Most surprising of all, however, original reports of the story lamented how it didn’t appear there was any ‘funky business’ to be concerned about — you know, with Apple just forking over a billion dollars so casually… One firm was in no position to gain at the other’s expense, in other words. However, a new report published earlier this week suggests that, yes, as a matter of fact, Apple was given a seat on the board of directors in exchange for its high-stakes, ten-digit investment in Didi Chuxing. Imagine that, right?

“The board appointment occurred in late June, according to a regulatory filing. It reinforces the gravity of Apple’s investment, which influenced Uber’s decision to sell its China operations to Didi at the end of July. Didi had a large lead in market share but Uber hoped Didi wouldn’t be able to keep raising capital.”

It appears that Apple’s long-time confidant, head of mergers and acquisitions Adrian Perica, will be occupying Apple’s seat on Didi’s board moving forward, The Information reported.

Whether Apple outright purchased the seat, or whether it was simply given them — perhaps in light of the magnitude of Cupertino’s vested financial interest, still remains to be seen. However, all things considered, I think there’s still a multitude of positives that Apple can extract of its new partnership with Didi if the company plays its cards right..

If Apple’s ‘Project Titan’ is indeed still in the works — in whatever capacity, for instance, the Cupertino-company could potentially utilize Didi Chuxing’s massive (and expanding) fleet of autonomous, self-driving cars to experiment with either hardware or software — at some form of which is allegedly being developed by Apple.

Much is a mystery, although I do know one thing for certain, beyond the shadow of a doubt — Apple would NOT have invested a whole billion dollars in a company (regardless of its product or purpose) if there was nothing to gain in the end. Apple has a pretty strategic way of investing its cash on hand, occasionally acquiring small firms along the way, prior to ultimately building products that are simply some of the world’s best.

What do you think about the revelation of Apple’s true deal with Didi Chuxing?
Let us know in the comments!