Saturday, May 24, 2025

Man Buys Rs 1.8 Crore Car for Cab Business, Claims To Earn Rs 59,000 from Single Trip

luxury car in rajasthan

A 30-year-old man in China has attracted widespread attention for turning a luxury car into a ride-hailing vehicle. According to a report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the man, surnamed Yuan, purchased a Mercedes-Maybach worth $210,000 (approximately Rs 1.8 crore) and now uses it for high-end ride-hailing services. He claims that a single trip can earn him more than $700, which is nearly Rs 59,000.

Yuan runs a popular social media account titled “Old Yuan Drives a Maybach for Ride-Hailing”, where he regularly shares his day-to-day experiences. The account has amassed close to 120,000 followers due to the unique nature of his work.

Originally from Henan province in northern China, Yuan has been working in the luxury ride-hailing industry in Beijing since 2019. He bought the Maybach in November 2023 with the goal of expanding his clientele and documenting the journey to “break even”.

In a video shared in April, Yuan said he started his day early and secured a client for a full-day booking, which earned him $550 (around Rs 46,000) in one day. He stated, “Let’s go! Driving a luxury Maybach ride-hailing car is not only my job but also my livelihood. Currently, the Maybach model can only be specifically ordered for ride-hailing in Beijing and Shanghai. It is uncertain when it will be available in other cities, so please watch rationally.”

Speaking to Haibao News, Yuan revealed that he made a down payment of $93,000 (nearly Rs 79 lakh) for the car. Out of this, $68,000 (about Rs 58 lakh) came from his personal savings accumulated over the past six years in the ride-hailing industry. The rest was financed through a five-year loan, with monthly repayments of $2,000 (approximately Rs 1.7 lakh).

Yuan’s service prioritises quality over quantity and focuses on pre-booked high-end clients. He reportedly completes around 40 bookings per month, with some rides bringing in more than $700. Despite high operational costs, he says he still manages to save nearly 10,000 yuan (approximately Rs 1.1 lakh) every month, while living a relatively relaxed lifestyle.

“My monthly fuel costs are about 3,000 yuan. I spend another 2,000 to 3,000 yuan on food, and rent is 4,500 yuan. I still have some savings left. The best part is that I get to drive a Maybach at only 30 and still save close to 10,000 yuan a month,” he shared.

His story has sparked curiosity and debate on Chinese social media. One user asked, “So is he rich or not? If he is rich, why is he still doing ride-hailing? If he is not, how is he driving a Maybach?” Another said, “I just checked the fares for an S-class Mercedes. A 5.5km ride costs nearly 300 yuan (US$40). Who on earth is hailing a Maybach? I am not sure I will ever get to ride one in this lifetime.”