U-Hop taps Floyd Mayweather as it eyes US expansion

FILIPINO-OWNED transportation network company (TNC) U-Hop announced on Thursday it is partnering with American boxing champion Floyd Joy Mayweather, Jr. as it sets sights on global expansion, starting with the United States.

U-Hop Chairman Marvin C. dela Cruz told reporters Mr. Mayweather will be “part of the company.”

“He will help us bring the brand [further], particularly in the US. As you know, si Floyd marami siyang (Floyd has plenty of) resources and at the same time connections in other countries. We will utilize those resources to help us expand,” he said, without providing details.

Mr. Dela Cruz said the company plans to commence operations in the United States in June, starting in Los Angeles and San Francisco. It will eventually move to Dallas, Houston and San Diego.

“We’ll slowly expand. But within the year, we’re should expand also in three Southeast Asian countries — Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore,” the U-Hop chairman added.

In a press conference on Thursday, Mr. Mayweather urged the public to download the U-Hop application, saying “it will be number 1 around the world soon.”

He said he’s been watching the company for the last two years and has seen its growth.

U-Hop currently has 10,000 vehicles in the Philippines and is aiming to grow it to 25,000 by the end of 2018.

For its expansion in the US, Mr. Dela Cruz said the company plan to have at least 100 cars per city when operations start. —