Apple Invests $1B in Didi Chuxing, China’s Uber ⇥ reuters.com

Yeah — a billion dollars, with a B. Julia Love, Reuters:

The investment gives Apple, which has hired dozens of automotive experts over the past year, a sizeable stake in Uber Technologies Inc’s chief rival in China. [Tim] Cook said in an interview that he sees opportunities for Apple and Didi Chuxing to collaborate in the future.

“We are making the investment for a number of strategic reasons, including a chance to learn more about certain segments of the China market,” he said. “Of course, we believe it will deliver a strong return for our invested capital over time as well.”

A casual observer of Apple-related rumours will remember their ongoing electric car project, and could potentially see some good tie-in here. Maybe a way to mass-test electronics or some sort of automated hailing service.

I have no On the other hand… speculation. That’s pretty much it, plus a way to gain some major brownie points with China’s regulators.