China robotaxi operator WeRide aims to expand to foreign markets, including Japan, by 2025
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WeRide, which operates a robotaxi business in China, is looking to expand overseas and hopes to roll out its services in Japan, Europe, the Middle East and other regions.
China's WeRide Wants to Build Global Robotaxi Empire - WSJ
https://www.wsj.com/business/chinas-weride-wants-to-build-global-robotaxi-empire-6804cc80?st=dBUtPG
China's WeRide starts third European self-driving trial in Switzerland | South China Morning Post
https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3294694/chinas-weride-starts-third-european-self-driving-trial-switzerland
WeRide is a startup that offers a number of autonomous driving-related services, including robotaxis and self-driving buses, and already operates driverless vehicles, including fully autonomous vehicles ( Level 4 ) under certain conditions, in 30 cities in nine countries.
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, the company's CEO, Tony Hung, said, 'We want to serve the global market,' indicating that the company is betting on growing demand for robot taxis and related services, and is aiming to further expand overseas by 2025.
WeRide has already partnered with Switzerland's national rail operator to put vehicles equipped with WeRide's technology on the roads of the Furthtal region of Switzerland, and has also won a contract to sell a specially designed robobus to 'Japan's largest autonomous bus operator,' Han said.
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WeRide, which has received funding from a number of companies including Nissan, Mitsubishi, Renault and NVIDIA, has obtained permits for its self-driving cars in China, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and the United States. In the two years since launching its service in Avondale, Arizona, it has provided rides to 250,000 passengers.
In 2025, Zurich Airport in Switzerland is expected to become the first airport in Europe to introduce WeRide's self-driving shuttle service, running buses for airport staff between the employee entrance and maintenance areas.
As the service seeks to expand, it has come under scrutiny in Western countries.
In January 2025, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced that it would ban the import of Chinese hardware and software for internet-enabled vehicles. Government officials in Europe have also expressed similar concerns. Some have pointed out that the background to these concerns is that China has an advantage over Western countries in the technology and infrastructure for autonomous and electric vehicles.
On the other hand, some point out that such restrictions are no match for convenience, and consulting firm Shanghai Mingliang Auto Service expressed an optimistic view, saying, 'The trade barriers imposed by US and EU authorities will not prevent Chinese companies from promoting their products and services in Western markets because there is market demand.'
'We want to serve the global market. Wherever there is a need for driverless taxis and buses, we want to go,' said WeRide CEO Han, adding, 'If a country is not friendly to us, we have to take that into consideration.' Geopolitical relations are an important factor to consider when expanding overseas, adding, 'Right now, we think the Middle East and Europe are the right places for us to expand overseas.'
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