(Yicai Global) Aug. 20 -- Didi Chuxing has refuted a media report that claimed that China's largest car-hailing firm is planning on marrying its autopilot business with that of Nio, a Chinese electric carmaker.

Didi Chuxing has no intention to consolidate its autonomous driving business with that of Nio's but the ride-hailer will continue to collaborate with the auto industry, the Beijing News reported, citing the Beijing-based mobility firm. 

Nio's founder Li Bin has already conducted several rounds of negotiations regarding the tie-up with Didi Chuxing's new autopilot spin-off, Tencent News reported today. Nio has cut 100 jobs at its Silicon Valley office, the report added. 

Nio has been fending off rumors of massive downsizing this year amid large losses. Yesterday, the Shanghai-based car firm denied a self-media report that claimed that the company has closed its Silicon Valley office. However, earlier this month, the company's President Qin Lihong hinted that Nio has slashed 1,000 jobs globally. In the first quarter, the firm had a net loss of CNY2.6 billion (USD369 million), according to its financial report.

Didi Chuxing spun out its autopilot business to put more focus on the emergent sector while seeking to partner with upstream and downstream parts of the supply chain as well as government bureaus, the Beijing-based company said in a statement on Aug. 5. It appointed Chief Technical Officer Zhang Bo as the chief executive of the new firm. 

Editor: Emmi Laine