Posted on 09/12/2018 10:34:15 PM PDT by Zhang Fei
SHANGHAI/BEIJING, June 12 (Reuters) - Chinese truck drivers are demonstrating against higher fuel costs and the dominance of local truck hire platform Manbang which they said is squeezing incomes, a potential headache for the firm backed by SoftBank Group Corp and Alphabet Inc.
Since late last week, demonstrations by truck drivers have been seen in over a dozen locations around China, according to Hong Kong-based China Labour Bulletin, which tracks labour action in mainland China. On social media, photos and videos circulated showing long lines of parked trucks adorned with banners.
The demonstrations come as oil prices hit their highest level since 2014 in recent weeks, scraping $80 per barrel and stoking cost increases for businesses and consumers, especially in large oil-importing nations such as China.
The truck drivers also cited a squeeze on haulage rates due to the dominance of Manbang, formally known as Full Truck Alliance Group. Manbang raised $1.9 billion in April from Japan’s Softbank and Alphabet’s venture capital fund CapitalG.
The firm is often described as China’s “Uber for trucks”, in reference to U.S. ride-hailing firm Uber Technologies Inc . It runs an app that allows companies to connect with truck drivers - often independent contractors - tapping into demand for haulage in one of the world’s busiest markets for goods transport.
China Labour Bulletin said that earlier in June, Manbang implemented a policy to prevent registered truck drivers and customers from contacting each other directly, to ensure transactions and haulage rates were set only via the app.
Manbang, formed in a merger of haulage platforms Yun Man Man and Huo Che Bang, did not respond to requests for comment. The firm in April said 5.2 million of China’s 7 million freight trucks were members of the Full Truck Alliance Group.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
“Uber for trucks”
Wow. That’s ‘disuptive’ alright.
” The demonstrations come as oil prices hit their highest level since 2014 in recent weeks, scraping $80 per barrel and stoking cost increases for businesses and consumers, especially in large oil-importing nations such as China. “
Ha!.... Wait until they see what “Ice Road Truckers.... Jamie and the Rotator charge to get them back on track, on the Highway thru Hell!.
” The demonstrations come as oil prices hit their highest level since 2014 in recent weeks, scraping $80 per barrel and stoking cost increases for businesses and consumers, especially in large oil-importing nations such as China. “
Ha!.... Wait until they see what “Ice Road Truckers.... Jamie and the Rotator charge to get them back on track, on the Highway thru Hell!.
” The demonstrations come as oil prices hit their highest level since 2014 in recent weeks, scraping $80 per barrel and stoking cost increases for businesses and consumers, especially in large oil-importing nations such as China. “
Ha!.... Wait until they see what “Ice Road Truckers.... Jamie and the Rotator charge to get them back on track, on the Highway thru Hell!.
” The demonstrations come as oil prices hit their highest level since 2014 in recent weeks, scraping $80 per barrel and stoking cost increases for businesses and consumers, especially in large oil-importing nations such as China. “
Ha!.... Wait until they see what “Ice Road Truckers.... Jamie and the Rotator charge to get them back on track, on the Highway thru Hell!.
” The demonstrations come as oil prices hit their highest level since 2014 in recent weeks, scraping $80 per barrel and stoking cost increases for businesses and consumers, especially in large oil-importing nations such as China. “
Ha!.... Wait until they see what “Ice Road Truckers.... Jamie and the Rotator charge to get them back on track, on the Highway thru Hell!.
[Ha!.... Wait until they see what “Ice Road Truckers.... Jamie and the Rotator charge to get them back on track, on the Highway thru Hell!.]
“Manbang”?
For a minute there I thought they were talking about Cardinal McCarrick!
I came for the “Manbang” jokes. disappointed there are none...
Phew, faith restored.
Whoa there.
</sacasm>
Alphabet Inc is Google.
[I came for the “Manbang” jokes. disappointed there are none...]
Softbank also owns Sprint.
Just damn. Surprisingly not only non-fatal, but also less serious than you’d think:
https://www.kxan.com/news/video-motorcycle-crashes-into-truck-bursts-into-flames/994820996
[The motorcyclist collided with the truck’s fuel tank, immediately causing both vehicle to be engulfed in flames.
Several people ran to help the motorcyclist and doctors say he suffered non-life threatening injuries.]
Manbang sounds like a gay dating site.
It's $3.179 here for comparison.
I checked in Denmark is about $6.54 per US Gallon.
Manbang???
His app is called BoyBang
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