Didi overhauls corporate structure

Didi Chuxing, China's largest smartphone-based ride-hailing company, said on Thursday it has overhauled its corporate structure, as it steps up efforts to become a global leader in the transportation sector.

Cheng Wei, Didi's CEO, said in an internal letter that the Beijing-based company has set up two business groups to accelerate growth in both affordable car-hailing services and high-end chauffeur offerings.

The convenient business group, as it is roughly translated, will include taxi-hailing and ride-sharing services, while the quality transportation group will focus on enterprise-oriented car business, designated-driving and limousine services.

"We are seeking to be the biggest operator of automobiles in the world," Cheng said.

As part of its efforts to accelerate overseas expansion, Didi also set up the new international business department.

The move came after Didi invested an undisclosed amount into 99, a major ride-sharing firm in Brazil and assumed a seat on its board of directors in January.

The deal is widely seen as a signal that Didi is stepping on the accelerator of global expansion, after it struck a truce with Uber Technologies Inc in China last year.