China's mega-funded taxi app Didi Chuxing will be available in English for visitors to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.
The move on Didi's part is part of its "internationalization" plan which has seen it expand its reach beyond China, including opening a research centre in Mountain View, California. It also took a stake earlier this year in Brazilian taxi app, 99.
The launch of an English version of its app is part of its plan to be able to serve the 28 million international visitors to China.
Currently, the Didi app can be accessed in China by anyone with a mobile phone registered in a number of countries, including the US, UK and Australia. The app also accepts payments via most international credit cards, but only visitors with a decent working knowledge of Mandarin were able to book.
The translation option will change that, and the plan is to offer an English version of the app into other Chinese cities as well. For the launch locations, the Didi products available in English are its three most popular - Taxi, Premier and Express, including ExpressPool.
The move also sees Didi introduce an automatic real-time translation option, allowing English-speaking riders to communicate with their driver via the in-app instant messaging function.
Customer support services via phone and email will also be available in English.
Related reading for Tnooz:
Didi completes $5.5 billion raise (April17)