Ride-hailing platform Grab has recently sealed another electric vehicle (EV) fleet partnership—this time, with China’s GAC International.
GRAB AND GAC
The Chinese manufacturer sealed their “deep strategic partnership” with Grab last 7 January in Guangzhou, China. As part of the agreement, GAC will provide Grab with an initial fleet of 20,000 high-performing EVs. Grab will deploy this fleet in 6 of its operating countries in Southeast Asia across the next two years. The countries included in the agreement are Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand.
The GAC EV fleet will feature the AionY, AionES, and AionV models. According to Grab’s official statement, these models were chosen because of their “features specifically designed to meet the rigorous demands of professional ride-hailing.” These features include doors that can open to 90 degrees and spacious legroom for both partner-drivers and passengers.
This fleet also has the potential to integrate Grab’s driver application with GAC’s in-vehicle system. If implemented, the integration will provide partner-drivers with a more efficient order system and enhanced driver safety.
“By integrating the Grab driver app directly into the GAC cockpit display, our driver-partners can receive timely and important data, such as precise navigation and safety alerts, in a more ergonomic way. This ensures a more seamless and intuitive experience that reduces our driver-partners’ cognitive load, while advancing our shared commitment to carbon neutrality and a sustainable future.” said Grab’s Chief Product Officer, Philipp Kandal.
Aside from the large-scale EV deployment and system integration, GAC and Grab will seek new ways to improve after-sales support for Grab’s partner-drivers.
For GAC, its partnership with Grab falls under its “Tech-Driven GAC, Advancing Global Reach with a Full-Chain Ecosystem” strategy. This strategy focuses on full integration of all its products and services within its EVs. The partnership will also provide the auto conglomerate with higher brand awareness and “a deeper market understanding” of Southeast Asia.
GRAB’S PARTNERSHIPS
Last year, Grab announced a similar partnership with BYD. In their partnership, BYD provided Grab with a fleet of 50,000 EVs while Grab allowed its partner-drivers to own these vehicles at a lower cost. This collaboration also covers Grab’s six Southeast Asian countries; the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
Meanwhile, in Malaysia, Grab’s collaboration involves the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and BYD. The ride-hailing app uses a fleet of BYD M6 models for arriving passengers at KLIA.
In April, Grab introduced Singapore to GrabCab, its taxi-operating arm. Grab’s private-hire services are still available in Singapore with GrabCab only being a taxi addition.
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