Internet companies across the world are increasingly eyeing plans to enter the automobile sector.

Miao Wei, minister of Industry and Information Technology, said on March 5, 2015, that China will encourage Internet companies to develop electric vehicles as they have the potential to create a new manufacturing model for the auto industry.

However, Wang Chuanfu, president of Chinese automaker BYD, considered Internet companies' aim to make cars as "nothing more than a joke".

Will the Internet overturn the car industry in the way it has overturned so many other traditional industries?

It might only take several years to get the answer. Let us take a look at Internet companies that have made their plans to build cars known.

Alibaba

China's e-commerce company Alibaba Group Holding Ltd and automaker SAIC Motor Corp Ltd announced on March 12, 2015, that they would invest 1 billion yuan ($160 million) in a fund to develop Internet-connected vehicles, China Daily reported.

The fund will promote the development of "cars on the Internet" and build operational platforms for Internet-connected cars.

A 50-50 joint venture between SAIC Motor and Alibaba will be set up based on the fund, which aims to roll out China's first Internet car in 2016.

People ride a bicycle past a logo of the Alibaba Group at the company's headquarters on the outskirts of Hangzhou, Zhejiang province Nov 10, 2014.[Photo/Agencies]