Drink firm taps city's car-hailing market

Passengers in Shanghai using online ride-hailing services may have recently noticed drink-filled containers in their rides.

The drinks are offered by Mobile Go, a company which describes itself as an in-car scenario-based service provider. They quietly entered Shanghai in May.

At present, Mobile Go is the only company of its kind operating in Shanghai. About 1,000 online ride-hailing cars have installed their drink containers, most of them with Didi Chuxing drivers. The company also offers other services, such as access to online videos on their mobile phones.

Chen Gang who has been driving online-hailing cars for more than a year, says he was one of the first drivers to use a Mobile Go drink container.

“I have to pay 199 yuan (US$30) as deposit when I first get the container,” said Chen. “Then everything I take from a supply depot in town will not cost me a dime.”

According to Chen, 20 percent of sales go to him while the rest goes to Mobile Go.

Mobile Go started its business in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, where it cooperates with both taxis and online ride-hailings.

In Shanghai, the company is acting cautiously.

Yan Zheng, a marketing partner of Mobile Go, said they obtained a Food Circulation Permit from Pudong which allows them to sell food and drinks in cars.

A month ago, a similar business appeared in Shanghai which saw taxis selling snacks. But it was soon shut down by the local market supervision and management bureau. It said that selling food and drinks in taxis can affect the safety of both the driver and passengers. However, according to the traffic authority, there is no law against such sales.

Shanghai Daily sought confirmation with Pudong's market watchdog regarding Mobile Go’s status as a seller of food and drinks. As of press time, the authority said they have been in contact with Mobile Go and are verifying further information.