The global autonomous driving technology leader WeRide Inc. (WRD) has entered into a strategic collaboration with the leading new energy commercial vehicle brand Geely's Yuan Cheng and the influential Hong Kong transport operator Kwoon Chung Bus Group. The agreement was signed at the 2026 International Automobile and Supply Chain Expo in Hong Kong.
The three parties will leverage their respective core strengths in autonomous driving R&D, new energy vehicle manufacturing, and public transport operations. They will jointly develop a native, mass-produced Robotaxi model for right-hand drive markets, based on the existing pre-production Robotaxi GXR platform. The deployment of commercial Robotaxi services tailored for right-hand drive markets will commence in Hong Kong.
Strategic Significance and Market Impact
This initiative signifies a pivotal shift for the Robotaxi industry from regional capabilities to global adaptability, introducing a revolutionary autonomous driving solution for right-hand drive markets worldwide.
Leadership Perspectives on the Collaboration
WeRide Inc. founder and CEO Han Xu stated that globalization is central to the company's strategy, with operations already deployed in over 40 cities across 12 countries. He expressed that this partnership with Geely Yuan Cheng and Kwoon Chung Bus represents a significant breakthrough for autonomous technology in complex, high-density urban traffic and lays a crucial foundation for accessing global right-hand drive markets.
Geely Yuan Cheng New Energy Commercial Vehicle Group CEO Fan Xianjun described the joint development of the new vehicle as an in-depth exploration of future urban mobility. He noted that the collaboration creates a commercial loop from R&D to production and operations. The partnership in Hong Kong will reshape the local autonomous mobility landscape and establish the city as a global model for right-hand drive markets.
Kwoon Chung Bus Group Chairman Huang Liangbai highlighted the move as a proactive embrace of smart, green technology to address challenges like high fuel costs and driver shortages. He expressed confidence that the collaboration will deliver safer, more efficient, and environmentally friendly public transport for Hong Kong, reinforcing its status as a smart city.
Hong Kong as a Launchpad and Testing Ground
Kwoon Chung Bus's smart mobility subsidiary had previously introduced a left-hand drive Robotaxi GXR to Hong Kong, obtaining a pilot license and initiating public road tests. The new tripartite agreement builds on this foundation to advance product development, road validation, and operational exploration for right-hand drive markets.
Hong Kong's dense road network, complex mixed traffic environment, and mature public transport operations provide an ideal testing ground. The commercialization of right-hand drive Robotaxis in Hong Kong aligns with national development goals for intelligent connected new energy vehicles and supports the application of new technologies and scenarios. It is poised to serve as a model for expanding Chinese autonomous driving technology and products to other right-hand drive markets like Singapore, the UK, Japan, and Australia.
Pioneering Native Right-Hand Drive Development
In a market lacking mature right-hand drive Robotaxi models, this new vehicle represents the industry's first dedicated design and development for right-hand drive systems. It is not a simple adaptation of existing left-hand drive models but a systematic, native development process. This process covers product definition, vehicle platform, autonomous driving systems, and human-machine interaction, tailored to the specific traffic regulations, road environments, user habits, and operational needs of right-hand drive markets.
Building a Global Replication Model
Hong Kong, as one of the first cities to deploy this new right-hand drive Robotaxi, offers a highly international traffic environment and supportive policies. The partners aim to rapidly complete product validation, functional testing, and commercial operation exploration to create a scalable "Hong Kong model." This model is intended for subsequent expansion to other major right-hand drive markets globally.
Expanding Global Product and Operational Capabilities
With the launch of the right-hand drive model, WeRide Inc. will establish dual-pillar capabilities encompassing both right-hand and left-hand drive Robotaxi production and operations. This strategy creates a comprehensive product matrix for different global traffic rules and mobility systems, enhancing adaptability and scalability to accelerate the global commercialization of autonomous driving technology.
Established Collaboration and Future Growth
WeRide Inc. and Geely Yuan Cheng have a strong foundation in mass-producing Robotaxis and achieving commercial deployment. They jointly launched the next-generation Robotaxi GXR in October 2024, achieving driverless commercial operations in Beijing within four months and in Guangzhou by August 2025. A deepened agreement for an upgraded pre-production model was signed in March this year.
Since its founding in 2017, WeRide Inc. has been at the forefront of autonomous driving technology and commercialization, with a presence in 12 countries. Its Robotaxi GXR currently operates commercially in Guangzhou, Beijing, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai. The company plans to expand its global Robotaxi fleet to approximately 2,600 vehicles by the end of 2026, with a target of tens of thousands by 2030. The advent of the "right-hand drive era" is expected to significantly accelerate the global implementation of WeRide Inc.'s Robotaxi strategy.
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