Uber is now available directly inside WeChat (known as Weixin), letting Chinese Canadians and Chinese travellers request and pay for rides without leaving the app.
The popular Chinese messaging platform has about 1 million users in Canada, is one of the most popular messaging and payment platforms among Chinese communities. Back in July, Uber launched support for WeChat in Hong Kong SAR and Japan. At the time, it was set to expand to nine more markets, including the US, UK, and France, in the coming months.
Here are some screenshots Uber shared with iPhone in Canada of the WeChat integration:
The move is aimed at making Uber more accessible for Chinese travellers to Canada, a group that numbered more than 300,000 last year and is expected to grow to 470,000 this year, according to Destination Canada.
Globally, WeChat’s “Mini Programs”—lightweight apps within WeChat—see more than 1.1 billion monthly active users.
To mark the launch, Uber is offering 50% off (up to $10) for a rider’s first trip booked through WeChat.
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I’ll pass on using a Chinese app.