(Yicai) Jan. 16 -- Meituan, the largest on-demand delivery service provider in China, has teamed up with a local car sales service provider to co-develop a new platform, allowing users to compare different 4S (sales, spare parts, services, and survey) dealerships and discounts.

Meituan and Passion Tech plan to bring more than 30 auto brands and 10,000 dealers onto their one-stop service platform by the end of this year, the Beijing-based company announced yesterday.

Users will be able to browse and compare different 4S dealerships on the platform, just like they use Meituan to select restaurants, make online purchases, and leave reviews, Jiang Shunyu, chief executive officer of Shanghai-based Passion Tech, told Yicai.

Meituan aims to systematically develop its auto sales business by leveraging its platform food and beverage services experience, with Passion Tech complementing its efforts in the new venture, said Chen Yudong, chairman of the latter company.

Passion Tech primarily focuses on artificial intelligence applications, smart operations, and internet integration within the auto industry. Leveraging big data analysis, it provides customers with custom car purchasing and service experiences.

Competition in the Chinese lifestyle services sector has intensified, leading to squeezed profit margins for Meituan despite ongoing investments, so expanding into the auto sales segment is expected to open new growth opportunities.

Meituan has been partnering with Chinese auto giant SAIC Motor on auto services for nearly a year, with hundreds of auto dealerships having joined its platform, utilizing the "online second store" model to facilitate digital operations and draw new customers.

Editor: Martin Kadiev