Baidu, China’s biggest search engine, announced a partnership with German BMW to provide search services for the corporation’s vehicles.
Photo: www.cninadaily.com

BMW is aimed to push its search services onto more platforms. Baidu is to develop and operate search products used on vehicle information systems, which allows Baidu’s search services to expand to automobiles.

The car drivers will now be provided with maps, email and news. For Baidu it’s an important step to explore a niche market, though there are already established players that will be strong rivals for Baidu.

«Different players within the industrial chain, including hardware vendors, automobile makers and service providers, have many resources in providing information services in automobiles,» said Yan Xiaojia, an analyst with domestic research company Analysys International. «Baidu has its own advantages in searching, but how far it can go in the automobile sector depends on the efforts and investment.»

Baidu, has already signed an agreement with Wasu Digital Television Media Group. The company and the Chinese digital TV operator will co-work to provide search services in some 100 domestic cities.

According to the China Daily, Baidu has been trying to diversify its revenue sources, in part through the establishment of an e-commerce website with Japan’s Rakuten Inc and increasing investment in its online video arm.

Analysys International said Google’s share of China’s search market has fallen since it shut down its Google.cn service and redirected all mainland traffic to Hong Kong last March. So, Baidu had 75.9% of China’s search market last quarter.

The leading vehicle manufacturer, BMW is now implementing the ‘Gas-to-Energy’ program at its plant in the USA.