Chinese robotaxi firms accelerate global roll-outs as cost edge drives expansion

Chinese robotaxi firms from Pony AI to WeRide are accelerating global roll-outs of commercial fleets, leveraging cost competitiveness from the country’s world-leading new energy vehicle (NEV) supply chain and improved operational efficiency, company executives have said.China’s NEV supply chain had helped reduce the total cost of Pony AI’s upgraded seventh-generation robotaxi – including the base vehicle, battery and autonomous driving kit – to below 230,000 yuan (US$33,700), making it cheaper than a basic Tesla Model 3, according to James Peng, founder and CEO of the Guangzhou-based robotaxi firm. The Model 3 is the US electric vehicle giant’s most affordable car.“We will push China’s autonomous driving technology to every corner of the world with overwhelming cost competitiveness,” Peng said on Friday, the opening day of the Beijing Auto Show, which runs until May 3.