Cover image via Douyin
Would you spend close to RM1 million on a car just to use it for ride-hailing? That's exactly what 30-year-old Yuan from Beijing did — and it's paying off.
In a move that's both baffling and brilliant, Yuan splashed out 1.55 million yuan (RM933,500) on a Mercedes-Maybach S480. Maybach is a German luxury car brand, a subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz, known for its high-end sedans and SUVs.
Yuan's goal is to use the vehicle for premium ride-hailing jobs — and break even, one luxe booking at a time.
And it seems to be working.
Image via Douyin
In his videos on Douyin, Yuan claims he's made over 5,000 yuan (RM3,000) from a single trip
Driving professionally since 2019, Yuan has built a reputation for chauffeuring Beijing's high-end clientele.
Since purchasing the Maybach last November, he's been documenting his day-to-day on social media, quickly racking up nearly 120,000 followers under the handle "Old Yuan Drives a Maybach for Ride-Hailing".
His setup is strategic.
Image via Douyin
Yuan only accepts pre-booked, luxury clients and averages about 40 trips a month, earning an estimated 160,000 yuan (RM96,387).
He is projected to make 8.1 million yuan (RM4.9 million) in five years if everything goes according to plan.
While the car was partly financed with a five-year loan, Yuan's down payment of 680,000 yuan (RM409,610), came largely from years of ride-hailing work.
After covering monthly expenses — 14,466 yuan (RM8,700) on his loan, 4,500 yuan (RM2,700) on rent, 2,000 to 3,000 yuan (RM1,200 to RM1,800) on food, and around 3,000 yuan (RM1,800) on fuel — he pockets roughly 135,000 yuan (RM81,300).
And yes, Yuan's well aware of how absurd it sounds.
"I get to drive a Maybach at 30, make a living, and still save money," he says.
The Internet, naturally, has questions. Is he rich or just incredibly savvy? Either way, Yuan might've just redefined side hustle goals — one luxury ride at a time.
Image via Douyin
