Didi Global Announces Dual Expansion in Robotaxi Fleet and Brazilian Food Delivery Market
## Executive Summary
Didi Global has announced a two-pronged strategic expansion, reinforcing its commitment to the autonomous vehicle sector and re-entering the Brazilian food delivery market. The company plans to scale its **Robotaxi** fleet to over 1,000 vehicles by 2025 through a partnership with **Guangzhou Automobile Group**. Simultaneously, it is relaunching its food delivery service in Brazil under the “**99 Food**” brand, backed by a significant investment to compete in the burgeoning Latin American market. These initiatives highlight Didi's strategy of leveraging its core ride-hailing business to build a comprehensive service ecosystem, despite investor concerns regarding increased spending in a volatile global market.
## The Event in Detail
### Robotaxi Fleet Expansion
Didi is significantly accelerating its autonomous vehicle ambitions, with plans to deploy more than 1,000 **Robotaxis** by 2025. This move is part of a larger partnership with **Guangzhou Automobile Group** to mass-produce autonomous vehicles, positioning Didi to compete directly with other major players in the space, including **Tesla** and **Pony.ai**. The company has expressed long-term goals of operating a fleet of over 20,000 self-driving vehicles within the next six years, signaling a strong belief in the commercial viability of autonomous ride-hailing services.
### Brazilian Food Delivery Relaunch
In a move to diversify its international revenue streams, Didi has officially relaunched its food delivery operations in Brazil. Operating under the **99 Food** brand—named after the Brazilian ride-hailing company Didi acquired in 2018—the service aims to challenge established local players. The company has reportedly committed BRL 2 billion to the expansion, which will initially target 15 cities by the end of the year and expand to 20 more by January 2026. This re-entry is strategically timed to counter the aggressive international expansion of its Chinese rival, **Meituan**.
## Market Implications
The dual expansions carry significant implications for both the autonomous vehicle and food delivery sectors. In the **Robotaxi** space, Didi’s push for mass production intensifies the competition among technology and automotive firms racing to achieve Level 4 and Level 5 autonomy at scale. Didi’s partnership with a major automaker like **Guangzhou Automobile Group** suggests a strategic focus on hardware integration and manufacturing efficiency.
In Latin America, Didi’s re-entry into the food delivery market is set to disrupt the current landscape dominated by players like **iFood** and **Uber Eats**. According to one local analyst, “User frustration with iFood presents an opportunity for Didi to capitalize on shifting sentiment.” By drawing on its successful playbook from Mexico—where it targeted smaller cities and used competitive pricing—Didi aims to build an integrated “mobility + delivery + payments” ecosystem. This strategy could become its blueprint for expansion across the continent.
## Expert Commentary
While the strategic rationale is clear, some investors have expressed reservations. Sources familiar with the matter noted that some are “a bit worried about Didi’s increased spending by launching food delivery in Brazil, especially when the global equity market is under turmoil.” However, Didi’s international business has shown robust growth, reporting a 34.8% year-over-year increase in gross transaction value to $12.6 billion in 2024, providing a strong foundation for these new investments.
## Broader Context
Didi’s latest moves are emblematic of a larger trend of Chinese technology giants seeking international growth to offset domestic market saturation. The expansion into Brazil represents a direct confrontation with **Meituan** on foreign soil, marking a new phase in their rivalry. The success of Didi's integrated ecosystem model in Latin America will serve as a critical test for its global ambitions and its ability to replicate its domestic dominance in diverse and competitive international markets.
