Didi takes on Uber in Mexico

Reuters reports the company is currently recruiting drivers in the city of Toluca and could start operations as early as this month.

Until now, Didi’s overseas expeditions have been limited to investments in ride-sharing companies in countries Brazil, India, Estonia and the Middle East -- so Mexico is the company’s first bid to launch the brand outside of China.

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From a business perspective, the choice makes sense. The country has a booming population of close to 130 million people and a public transport system that is often criticised as expensive and unsafe.

But in choosing Mexico, Didi is also gearing up for a fight: Uber already dominates the ride-hailing market in Mexico -- making up 87 percent of Mexico's ride-hailing market share in 2017 -- and the country is considered one of its “most prized and profitable markets.”​