(Yicai Global) April 7 -- Didi Chuxing, China’s largest ride-hailing platform, has started its own vehicle-manufacturing business, according to a media report.

Didi is also seeking to recruit managers for the project from major domestic automakers, financial news magazine Caijing reported yesterday. The Beijing-based company has yet to comment on the matter.

Yang Jun, vice president and general manager of Didi’s car service unit Xiaoju Automobile Solutions, is in charge of the project, a person familiar with the matter told Caijing, adding that Zhu Jiang, former VP of user development at EV maker Nio, may join the team. Zhu has also worked for BMW Brilliance Automotive, Lexus, and Ford China.

Didi already has an auto industry partnership. Its joint venture with BYD, a Warren Buffet-backed carmaker, last November released the D1, a customized model for online car-hailing. If the latest report is true, Didi is now joining the likes of Xiaomi, Baidu and Alibaba in fully embracing the hottest trend among China’s tech giants.

Moreover, the ride-hailing firm has its own autonomous driving unit. The subsidiary is planning to start a self-driving truck business, according to Caijing’s report. The unit teamed up with BAIC Motor last June to develop robotaxis. It has also secured road test licenses in Shanghai, Beijing, Suzhou, Hefei, and California.

Editor: Emmi Laine, Xiao Yi