(Yicai Global) Dec. 19 -- Chinese digital mapping service provider AutoNavi will cooperate with truck-hailing Manbang Group to provide navigation services to truck drivers registered on Manbang's affiliated platforms, it announced yesterday.

Their freight transport solution rests on the basis of Manbang's experience in logistics services and AutoNavi's digital navigation ability. AutoNavi will supply Manbang with route planning for trucks, professional truck navigation, falcon tracking services (designed for vehicle tracking and positioning), customized maps, and inquiries as to areas with traffic restrictions in effect, in a total of five modules, online news portal Sina Tech reported.

Manbang, which owns the country's largest internet information platform covering roads, highways and logistics, was set up in April this year through the merger of Yunmanman and Huochebang -- both also online logistics, information matching and truck-hailing platforms. 

Of the 7 million trucks for trunk transport in China, 5.2 million are Manbang members, while 1.25 million of the 1.5 million Chinese logistics firms hold membership, statistics show.

AutoNavi and Manbang, both Beijing-based, will jointly debut their exclusive maps for truck drivers after Manbang gains access to the former's truck solutions. Such maps are tailorable to teamsters' daily transport conditions, marking traffic restrictions, locations of gas stations, parking lots, logistics parks, auto parts replacement and repair shops and other information.

Many bridge openings roads pass through and other transport infrastructure constrict vehicle height, width and weight. Ignorance of such conditions not only causes drivers to break the law, with attendant fines and penalties, but can also readily lead to hazards.

To avert such violations and risks, AutoNavi specially debuted its products for truck navigation in December last year. These enable their users to automatically avoid these via voice alerts in the entire course of operation.

Editor: Ben Armour