Transport

The Shanghai Electric and CRRC-backed EV manufacturer has increased its valuation to more than $1bn with a $51.5m investment from Jinhua Zhongche Fund.

Didi Chuxing has set up its autonomous car unit as a new business that remains unnamed for now, with the aim of attracting external investment.

Rounds above $100m tend to be raised by companies based in the US and China. Last year we saw a record number of corporate-backed rounds.

The autonomous driving system developer sourced commitments from corporates Toyota, BMW, Faurecia and Osram in a round led by GreatPoint Ventures.

Quantum Signal has been bought by Ford after two decades of quietly producing technologies for robotic applications including autonomous driving.

John Du has moved to GM Ventures after a decade at parent company General Motors to oversee China-based deals.

Chief executive Tomoko Inoue describes her unit’s core interests and how it interacts with entrepreneurs.

SAIC Motor's Shang Qi Capital unit has raised $145m for the automotive technology-focused fund, which includes Shinry Technologies, Shanghai Diesel Engine and SAIC Capital as LPs.

Since the beginning of 2018, a fifth of all corporate investors whose deals we track appear to be newcomers.

Each Friday the Global Corporate Venturing Deal Net rounds up the week’s smaller deals and tracks the emerging companies accessing corporate funds.

Toyota will invest $600m into Didi Chuxing and form a joint venture also involving GAC Toyota Motor that will be focused on vehicle-related services for ride hailing drivers.