WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD, HKEX: 0800) has partnered with Geely Farizon New Energy Commercial Vehicle Group and Kwoon Chung Bus Holdings Limited to launch right-hand-drive Robotaxis, starting with commercial deployment in Hong Kong. The collaboration addresses the lack of autonomous vehicles tailored for right-hand-drive systems by leveraging the existing production-ready GXR platform. This initiative is expected to unlock opportunities in global right-hand-drive markets, including Singapore, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Australia.

The strategic partnership was announced at the 2026 International Automotive & Supply Chain Expo in Hong Kong. By combining WeRide's autonomous driving technology, Geely Farizon's manufacturing capabilities, and Kwoon Chung's operational expertise, the companies plan to create a scalable model for smart transportation. The commercial launch in Hong Kong aligns with China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) priorities for intelligent connected new energy vehicles.

Strategic Expansion and Fleet Growth

The rollout of right-hand-drive Robotaxis will enable WeRide to establish dual capabilities across both right- and left-hand-drive production and operations. The company plans to expand its fleet to 2,600 vehicles by end-2026 and scale to tens of thousands by 2030. This expansion builds on WeRide's existing presence in over 40 cities across 12 countries, with fully driverless commercial operations already established in Guangzhou, Beijing, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai.

Partnership Details and Leadership

The agreement was signed by Song Zhaohuan, Vice President of Geely Farizon; Li Yifan, Vice President of WeRide; and Timothy Wong, Executive Director of Kwoon Chung Bus Holdings. It was witnessed by Mike Fan, CEO of Geely Farizon; Dr. Tony Han, Founder and CEO of WeRide; and Matthew Wong, Chairman of Kwoon Chung Bus Holdings.

Dr. Tony Han emphasized that globalization is central to WeRide's strategy, noting that the collaboration represents a breakthrough for autonomous driving in dense urban environments. Mike Fan highlighted the creation of an end-to-end commercial ecosystem, while Matthew Wong pointed to the potential for addressing challenges like soaring oil prices and driver shortages in Hong Kong.

Technical and Operational Milestones

The new Robotaxi model is purpose-built for right-hand-drive markets, integrating perception, decision-making, and control systems to ensure safety and efficiency. The collaboration builds on previous joint efforts between WeRide and Geely Farizon, including the launch of the next-generation Robotaxi GXR in October 2024 and the achievement of fully driverless operations in Beijing and Guangzhou in 2025.

WeRide and Uber Technologies plan to launch commercial robotaxi services in the Greater Zurich Region later this year, subject to regulatory approval from Switzerland's Federal Roads Office (FEDRO). This expansion marks the companies' second joint deployment in Europe within weeks, following a recent announcement for Madrid. The partnership aims to capitalize on Switzerland's advanced regulatory environment and high-value ride-hailing market to achieve strong unit economics.

Rides will be accessible via the Uber app during the launch. The fleet is expected to scale progressively in coordination with authorities as performance milestones are met, with a transition to fully driverless commercial services planned for core urban areas. The deployment reflects WeRide's asset-light operating strategy, which relies on established partners for fleet investment and platform support. In Zurich, Rydera, a local mobility and logistics operator, will manage day-to-day fleet operations.

The companies have established a track record of scaling deployments across the Middle East since December 2024. This includes fully driverless commercial services in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, as well as public operations in Riyadh. These initiatives provide a tested blueprint for the European expansion. WeRide previously secured a driverless permit from FEDRO in November, enabling autonomous operations on public roads in Zurich's Furttal region.

With the addition of Zurich, WeRide and Uber will operate robotaxi services in five of the 15 cities covered under their previous agreement. The partners plan to deploy tens of thousands of robotaxis on public roads globally. The operations are powered by the WeRide One universal technology platform and the WeRide GENESIS general-purpose simulation platform.

Jennifer Li, CFO and Head of International at WeRide, emphasized that Europe is a priority region, noting that announcing two European markets in two weeks reflects the speed of their expansion strategy. Sarfraz Maredia, Global Head of Autonomous Mobility & Delivery at Uber, highlighted Switzerland's forward-thinking regulation and demand for high-quality ride-hailing solutions as key drivers for the partnership.