Taiwan-Based Whiskey Importer and Chinese Auto Financier Pivot to AI Data Centers

A Taiwan-based whiskey importer and a China-focused car financing firm have both made significant moves this week to enter the AI data center industry, highlighting an ongoing trend of non-tech companies pivoting toward digital infrastructure. Agencia Comercial Spirits Ltd, a Nasdaq-listed distributor of whiskey and sake, announced it has signed several binding contracts for the development of a data center in Indonesia, while Senmiao Technology Limited revealed plans to form a joint venture targeting AI data centers in the United States.

Agencia Comercial Spirits, which first signaled its pivot into data centers and AI in February by signing Letters of Intent with RiCloud AI and an unnamed partner, has now formalized key agreements for its Indonesian project. The company’s subsidiaries have entered into a binding letter of award with an independent contractor for general construction works in West Java, valued at between $40 million and $50 million. Additionally, the firm has signed a $10.1 million contract for network infrastructure equipment and a $1 million five-year agreement for on-site technical support and maintenance services. Full details of the planned facility were not disclosed. “These agreements advance several of the principal workstreams required for our planned AI computing infrastructure deployment in Indonesia, including construction, network infrastructure and ongoing technical support,” said Tsai Yi-Yang, CEO of Agencia. “Our focus remains on disciplined execution, including funding, construction and procurement scheduling, equipment delivery, operational readiness, cost management and risk control.” Agencia, which joined the Nasdaq in October, is now pivoting from its core business of distributing bottled and cask whiskies to become a player in the AI infrastructure space.

In a parallel development, Nasdaq-listed Senmiao Technology Limited (AIHS), a company traditionally providing automobile transaction, financing, and leasing services in China, has announced its entry into the U.S. data center market. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Green Energy Capital Asset Inc., Senmiao has signed an operating agreement with Texas-based Constant Energy Construction Corp. (CECC) to jointly establish Nebula Matrix AI LLC. The joint venture will serve as the core platform for developing, investing in, constructing, and operating AI data centers across the United States. Specific project details were not provided. Senmiao, which previously owned a ride-hailing platform in China before selling it in 2024, began exploring new opportunities in digital infrastructure and energy in March. “Over the past year, the company has been searching for a new positioning and direction for growth, and this cooperation represents a significant milestone since the Company’s transformation began,” said Ronggang (Jonathan) Zhang, Senmiao Technology CEO and chairman. “Artificial intelligence is driving global digital infrastructure into a new investment cycle. Through this cooperation, we hope to build an AI infrastructure platform with long-term competitiveness.” CECC, a full-service electrical and infrastructure contractor, brings experience from projects including server manufacturing facilities, solar farms, and cryptomines in Texas. Marcus Xue, CECC CEO, added, “CECC brings experience in energy infrastructure and digital infrastructure construction, with a track record of power and infrastructure projects in the United States. We look forward to a long-term partnership to jointly advance the development, construction and operation of AI data center projects.”

These pivots are part of a broader industry phenomenon where companies from unrelated sectors—including former shoe brands, recruitment websites, and food franchise operators—are entering the AI data center market, drawn by surging demand for computing power and the potential for long-term capital returns. For both Agencia and Senmiao, the shift represents a strategic bet on the rapid growth of AI infrastructure, though the success of such transitions will depend on execution, funding, and navigating the complexities of large-scale construction and energy procurement.