Forget Tesla: This AI-Driven Robotaxi Stock Could Overtake It in the Real-World Market

Core Insights - A smaller, China-backed firm, Pony AI, is emerging as a serious competitor to Tesla in the autonomous vehicle industry, with Tesla holding a 43.1% share of EV sales in 2025 [1] Company Developments - Pony AI secured the first-ever citywide permit to operate autonomous taxi services in Shenzhen on 31 October 2025, allowing phased deployment of its seventh-generation robotaxis [3] - The company has outperformed Tesla in the stock market in 2025, with shares up 30.17% year-to-date compared to Tesla's 13.05% [4] - Pony AI's initial public offering (IPO) in Hong Kong on 28 October is expected to raise approximately $863 million to fund further autonomous vehicle development [6] Strategic Partnerships - Pony AI has formed a strategic alliance with Stellantis to develop Level 4 autonomous vehicles for the European market, with a full rollout expected by 2026 [5] - The company has expanded into Singapore through a partnership with ComfortDelGro, aiming to deploy autonomous vehicles for daily commuting [7] Financial Performance - Revenue from robotaxi services surged 157.8% year-on-year to $1.5 million in the first half of 2025, marking a significant milestone for the company [10] - Mass production of Pony AI's Gen-7 robotaxi began two months ago, with over 200 vehicles produced and a target of reaching 1,000 units by the end of the year [11] Future Outlook - Pony AI is expected to hit a major profitability target by the end of 2025 or early 2026, according to CFO Leo Haojun Wang [12] - The company is well-positioned to challenge Tesla's leadership in autonomous taxis, supported by citywide permits, strategic alliances, and significant capital raised [12][13]