Grab Stock Jumps over 6% as It to Invest $60 Million in Remotely-Driven Car Startup Vay

Tiger Newspress
Yesterday

Grab Holdings Ltd., Southeast Asia’s largest ride-hailing provider, is investing $60 million in remote-driving service Vay to add to its bets in technologies for driverless vehicles.

Shares of Grab jumped over 6% on the news.

The funding, which is subject to regulatory approval, could increase to a total of $410 million within a year after the initial investment if Vay hits certain milestones, the companies said in a joint statement on Monday. The deal is likely to close in the fourth quarter.

Vay’s service is a business model between a regular human-driven taxi and a fully autonomous one. It allows users to order a car, which is then operated remotely and delivered to the customer. Once it’s arrived, the remote operator disconnects and the customer takes over to drive the vehicle where they want to go.

Grab’s outlay adds to a string of similar investments into mobility startups. The ride-hailing and food delivery firm last month put in an undisclosed amount in US-based driverless technology developer May Mobility Inc., and in August said it plans to invest in Chinese robotaxi operator WeRide Inc. to offer driverless rides across Southeast Asia.

Grab isn’t the only ride-hailing platform to prepare for a future where driverless rides are the norm. US counterparts Uber Technologies Inc. and Lyft Inc. have similarly partnered with technology providers and fleet operators for global deployments, while positioning themselves as platforms that can efficiently inform where robotaxis should be placed to keep them busy.

Vay, with its main offices in Berlin and Las Vegas, will use funds to scale and expand its operations in the US, while enhancing Grab’s mobility offerings.

Disclaimer: Investing carries risk. This is not financial advice. The above content should not be regarded as an offer, recommendation, or solicitation on acquiring or disposing of any financial products, any associated discussions, comments, or posts by author or other users should not be considered as such either. It is solely for general information purpose only, which does not consider your own investment objectives, financial situations or needs. TTM assumes no responsibility or warranty for the accuracy and completeness of the information, investors should do their own research and may seek professional advice before investing.

Most Discussed

  1. 1
     
     
     
     
  2. 2
     
     
     
     
  3. 3
     
     
     
     
  4. 4
     
     
     
     
  5. 5
     
     
     
     
  6. 6
     
     
     
     
  7. 7
     
     
     
     
  8. 8
     
     
     
     
  9. 9
     
     
     
     
  10. 10