Behind what appears to be an innovative platform strategy, ride-hailing drivers are being forced to accept declining actual incomes due to shifting commission models, while platforms like Huaxiaozhu serve as DiDi Global Inc.'s vehicle for penetrating lower-tier markets and transferring risks.

In recent years, DiDi Global Inc. has launched the "Huaxiaozhu" ride-hailing platform as an independent subsidiary to enter lower-tier markets. While this appears to be brand innovation on the surface, it actually conceals manipulative changes to commission mechanisms and squeezes drivers' actual income.

According to data, while DiDi Global Inc. claims an average commission rate of 14%, most drivers actually bear commission rates concentrated between 18% and 20%. The Huaxiaozhu platform has effectively raised overall commission levels through "fixed price" models and more complex commission mechanisms.

**01 Equity Maze: DiDi's "Unofficial Subsidiary" Strategy**

Huaxiaozhu's operating entity is Beijing Hongyi Bo Technology Co., Ltd., with actual controller Zhao Yibo serving as DiDi's vice president. Although the equity structure appears independent, DiDi Global Inc. makes Huaxiaozhu its actual "disguised" platform through executive connections and operational control.

DiDi Global Inc. not only wholly owns Huaxiaozhu Technology Development Co., Ltd., but also expands its platform matrix through various means. Ruqi Travel is jointly invested by GAC Group, Tencent, Guangzhou Public Transport Group, DiDi Global Inc., and other parties, demonstrating DiDi's ecosystem expansion strategy through investments.

This arrangement may initially have been designed to circumvent regulatory and compliance requirements. Huaxiaozhu obtained operating licenses by acquiring Liaoning Tutu Ride-hailing Operation Service Co., Ltd., conducting business independently in third and fourth-tier cities.

Why does DiDi Global Inc. adopt this "disguised platform" strategy? The answer lies in growth bottlenecks and compliance pressure. DiDi's main platform faces strict ride-hailing regulatory requirements in various locations, including multiple restrictions on vehicle qualifications, driver credentials, and pricing standards.

**02 Commission Magic: Upgraded Exploitation from Open to Hidden Methods**

DiDi Global Inc. launched the "Sunshine Action" in 2022, claiming to provide transparent billing, but with limited actual effectiveness. Reports show that 77.7% of ride-hailing drivers are aware of the transparent billing feature, but 55.6% of drivers rarely check or don't understand commission bill displays.

Huaxiaozhu platform has two commission methods: one involves taking orders directly on the Huaxiaozhu platform, where the platform takes approximately 35% of order revenue as commission; the other involves receiving Huaxiaozhu orders through the DiDi platform, where DiDi first takes 20%-30% fees, then Huaxiaozhu takes an additional 5%-10%.

Using a 100 yuan order as an example, the former involves 35 yuan platform commission, while the latter involves 30 yuan DiDi commission plus 7-10 yuan Huaxiaozhu commission, with the latter having higher total commissions. Many drivers consider Huaxiaozhu's high commission rates unreasonable and are unwilling to accept orders.

Platforms claim overall commission reductions while implementing disguised fees through other means: some platforms introduce "fixed commission models," superficially reducing commission rates while increasing information service fees. Huaxiaozhu's "fixed price" model also presents problems: the platform calculates prices based on estimated mileage and duration, without adjustments regardless of actual detours or traffic congestion.

**03 Data Comparison: Commission Differences Between DiDi and Huaxiaozhu**

Let us reveal the commission differences between the two platforms through specific data comparisons:

**04 Driver Dilemma: Squeezed Livelihoods and Missing Protections**

Ride-hailing drivers have become an "employment buffer" for numerous workers, with over 7.39 million licensed ride-hailing drivers nationwide. However, their working conditions are extremely harsh:

Daily working hours generally exceed 12 hours, with actual monthly incomes around 6,000 yuan after deducting platform commissions, fuel costs, vehicle depreciation, and other expenses. First-tier city drivers can earn 6,000-8,000 yuan monthly, while second and third-tier cities only yield three to four thousand yuan.

The relationship design between platforms and drivers cleverly transfers risks to workers. Drivers must bear vehicle depreciation, fuel, maintenance, and other costs themselves, while also facing problems like opaque commission rates and unreasonable penalty mechanisms.

More concerning is that fewer than 20% of full-time delivery workers and drivers enjoy platform-provided social insurance contributions, with most flexible employment personnel needing to participate in social insurance independently or through new employment format occupational injury protection pilots.

**05 Regulatory Challenges: The Balance Between Compliance and Growth**

Huaxiaozhu faces serious regulatory challenges. As of September 2020, seven cities had suspended Huaxiaozhu operations in their jurisdictions, including Tianjin, Qingdao, Hefei, Nanjing, Shenzhen, Zibo, and Zhengzhou.

The core regulatory issue requires ride-hailing platforms to achieve "three-certificate integration": platforms obtaining "Network Ride-hailing Business Permits," drivers acquiring "Network Ride-hailing Driver Certificates," and vehicles obtaining "Network Ride-hailing Transport Certificates."

In August 2025, Xi'an Municipal Transportation Bureau issued "Notice on Standardizing Ride-hailing Platform Business Pricing Behavior," requiring comprehensive suspension of low-price marketing activities like "fixed prices" and "special discount orders." Relevant departments in Guangdong Qingyuan, Henan Kaifeng, Jiangxi Yingtan, and other locations have also required ride-hailing platforms to strictly prohibit forcing drivers to accept "fixed price" orders.

Recently, platforms including DiDi Global Inc., T3 Travel, and Caocao Travel have successively announced reductions in commission rates to further protect driver rights. DiDi Global Inc. stated it would reduce maximum commission limits from 29% to 27% per order by the end of 2025. T3 Travel also indicated platform commission rates would not exceed 27%.

Platform economy algorithmic black boxes and commission magic should not become tools for exploiting workers. Drivers see through platform tricks: "Better open robbery than hidden theft." Commission issues concern not only income distribution but also respect for workers' basic dignity.

While DiDi Global Inc. busily expands markets through disguised platforms, millions of drivers struggle for basic livelihoods. Algorithms should retain warmth beyond mere calculations; platforms should become builders of win-win ecosystems rather than exploitation tools.

Regulation needs to keep pace with innovation, preventing technology from becoming an accomplice to disguised exploitation. Recent platform announcements of reduced commissions represent positive steps, but the key lies in genuine implementation of transparency and fairness—not only ensuring drivers clearly see every commission charge, but also giving them voice in rule-making processes.