WeRide Expands Into Belgium With Robobus Launch

Core Viewpoint - WeRide has expanded its operations into Belgium by launching its Robobus in Leuven, marking its 11th global market and enhancing its European presence [1] Group 1: Expansion and Partnerships - The Robobus initiative in Leuven is a collaboration with De Lijn, the City of Leuven, and Espaces-Mobilités, aiming to integrate autonomous vehicles into Belgium's transit system [1] - The Robobus began mapping downtown Leuven this week, with public road testing scheduled for mid-September and a pilot service planned from November 2025 to January 2026 [2][3] Group 2: Market Position and Competition - WeRide's stock has decreased over 34% year-to-date, indicating significant competition from companies like Pony AI [4] - Despite the stock decline, WeRide has launched 24/7 commercial operations of its Robotaxi GXR in Guangzhou, providing fully driverless trips through the WeRide Go app [4] Group 3: Technological Advancements - WeRide is focused on scaling autonomous technology, moving from road testing to licensing and full deployment within 11 months [5] - The company is investing in next-generation initiatives such as WePilot AiDrive, an advanced driver-assistance system developed with Bosch, aimed at enhancing mobility [5] Group 4: Stock Performance - WeRide shares are trading higher by 1.61% to $9.49 in premarket trading [5]