Bloomberg:
Didi Chuxing, the dominant ride-hailing service in China, said it will acquire Uber Technologies Inc.’s operations in the country, ending a battle that cost the two companies billions as they competed for customers and drivers.
And:
The truce brings to an end a bruising battle between the two companies for leadership in China’s fast-growing ride-hailing market. Uber has been spending at least $1 billion a year to gain ground in China, while Didi offered its own subsidies to drivers and riders to build its business.
Didi Chuxing and, as an investor, Apple are now in the driver’s seat (sorry) in China.
To use your metaphor, Apple is in the passenger seat. Didi is the driver. Apple’s investment is not large enough to dictate terms to Didi. Nor has it been Apple’s history to do that with companies they invest in but have not outright acquired.