Crazy Speed! Pony.ai partners with Uber to enter Europe, Shenzhen achieves breakeven, aiming for 3000 Robotaxis
Excerpt from Automotive Industry Frontline Observation
A heavyweight player emerges in the autonomous taxi race!
Pony.ai has made significant moves in January, partnering with Uber to enter Europe, achieving breakeven in Shenzhen, and aiming to deploy 3000 vehicles within the year.
With a low-profile lead, it is rewriting the global autonomous driving landscape.
The first deal in Europe! Partnering with Uber to launch in Croatia, creating a precedent for commercialization
Pony.ai's latest official announcement, in collaboration with Uber and Verne, has officially launched the first commercial Robotaxi service in Europe.
The service is established in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, with road testing already initiated, and paid operations are imminent.
The division of labor is clear: Uber is responsible for traffic entry, Verne handles vehicle operation and maintenance, and Pony.ai provides the seventh-generation autonomous driving system.
In the highly regulated Europe, Pony.ai's technological strength has received significant recognition.
Full coverage of the four first-tier cities! China's leader in unmanned transportation is confirmed
Many people do not know that Pony.ai has long been the invisible champion of unmanned taxis in the country.
It is the only company that has launched fully unmanned Robotaxi services in all four first-tier cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen.
Recently, it has also integrated with WeChat's travel services, supported by a billion-level traffic flow, allowing users to call unmanned vehicles with one click.
At the same time, it has formed a fleet of over 100 vehicles with Ruqi Travel, continuously expanding the scale of commercialization in the country.
Core breakthrough: The cost of the seventh-generation Robotaxi has decreased by 70%, with upgraded experiences such as Bluetooth unlocking, voice interaction, and air conditioning pre-adjustment, making rides smoother and more comfortable.
The dawn of profitability! Shenzhen achieves breakeven, validating the business model in two first-tier cities
The most concerning issue in the industry, profitability, has been answered by Pony.ai.
Following Guangzhou, its seventh-generation model has achieved breakeven per vehicle in Shenzhen, becoming one of the few companies globally to achieve profitable operations in two cities.
Cost reductions, algorithm optimization, and improved fleet efficiency jointly support a healthy business model.
This means: Autonomous driving is no longer just about burning money; it now has the capability for scalable and sustainable profitability.
Crazy expansion! 2026 goal: 20 cities, 3000 Robotaxis
Pony.ai CEO Peng Jun announced that 2026 will enter a period of accelerated growth.
The goal for the year: to expand the fleet size to over 3000 vehicles and establish a presence in more than 20 cities worldwide.
Overseas, it will enter Singapore, Qatar, the UAE, and Croatia, while continuing to deepen its efforts in the four first-tier cities domestically.
From technical validation to commercial expansion, Pony.ai has completely entered the fast lane.
Low-key yet hardcore: Is it the invisible king of global unmanned taxis?
Compared to the high-profile exposure of Baidu, Waymo, and Tesla, Pony.ai has remained low-key.
However, it leads in commercialization, city coverage, cost control, and breakeven.
With fully unmanned operations, the first deal in Europe, profitable operations in two cities, and access to a trillion-level traffic ecosystem, it ranks first in multiple industry indicators.
While the industry is still discussing the future, Pony.ai has already turned unmanned transportation into a reality business.
The inflection point of the industry has arrived: Autonomous driving is transitioning from burning money to making money
Pony.ai's concentrated actions signify a critical turning point for the Robotaxi industry.
With mature technology, reduced costs, relaxed policies, traffic access, and profitable operations, all five conditions are now met.
Chinese companies, leveraging advantages in scenarios, data, and efficiency, are the first to break through on the global stage.
This is not only a victory for one company but also a milestone for China's autonomous driving industry.