Core Viewpoint - The rivalry between Pony.ai and WeRide has intensified, particularly following comments made by Pony.ai's CTO regarding their competitive positioning in the autonomous driving sector, leading to a public rebuttal from WeRide's CFO [2][3]. Financial Performance - From 2022 to Q1 2025, Pony.ai's revenue showed a consistent increase, with figures of 489 million, 515 million, 538 million, and 100 million yuan, while WeRide's revenue declined from 526 million to 72 million yuan during the same period [3][5]. - In terms of net profit, Pony.ai reported losses of 1.06 billion, 895 million, 1.96 billion, and 308 million yuan, totaling over 4.22 billion yuan since 2022. WeRide's losses were higher, totaling over 6.15 billion yuan during the same timeframe [5][9]. - WeRide maintained a relatively high gross margin, with figures of 232 million, 183 million, and 15.17 million yuan, and gross margins of 44.1%, 45.7%, and 30.7% respectively [6]. Market Capitalization - As of July 1, Pony.ai's market capitalization was approximately $4.69 billion, which is about 2.15 times that of WeRide at $2.17 billion. WeRide's stock price has dropped over 50% since its IPO, while Pony.ai's stock has remained relatively stable [8][11]. Business Strategy - Pony.ai focuses on a dual strategy of "Robotaxi + Robotruck" and aims to provide technology solutions to automotive companies, while WeRide employs a diversified approach with a product matrix that includes Robotaxi, Robobus, Robovan, and Robosweeper [12][13]. - WeRide has over 1,200 autonomous vehicles in operation and has secured over 10,000 orders for customized L4 autonomous vehicles, whereas Pony.ai has around 300 Robotaxis and 190 Robotrucks [12][13]. Industry Outlook - The Robotaxi market is projected to potentially generate up to $34 trillion by 2030, with significant competition emerging from various players, including Tesla and established companies like Waymo and Cruise [14]. - The ability to generate revenue and establish operational capabilities is becoming increasingly critical for companies in the Robotaxi sector, as reliance on financing is diminishing [14][15].

Market Overview - The global Robotaxi market is projected to reach $1.95 billion in 2024 and $43.76 billion by 2030, with a forecasted market size of 834.9 billion yuan by 2030 according to Tianfeng Securities [1] Competitive Landscape - Small Horse Intelligent (小马智行) and WeRide (文远知行) are the leading players in the autonomous driving sector, with significant differences in their operational strategies and technology focus [2][5] - Small Horse Intelligent emphasizes redundancy and safety in its technology, while WeRide focuses on cost optimization and a diversified product matrix [7][9] - Both companies have raised approximately $1.3 billion in funding, indicating strong investor interest in the autonomous driving sector [9] Financial Performance - Small Horse Intelligent's revenue from 2022 to 2024 was $68.39 million, $71.90 million, and $75.03 million, totaling approximately $215 million [16] - WeRide's revenue during the same period was 528 million yuan, 402 million yuan, and 250 million yuan, totaling approximately 1.18 billion yuan, indicating a significant decline in revenue [16] - As of the end of 2024, WeRide's total assets were 7.694 billion yuan, with a net asset growth of 331.52%, while Small Horse Intelligent's total assets were $1.051 billion, reflecting a 40.70% increase [18][19] Strategic Initiatives - Small Horse Intelligent is focusing on the Chinese market, with plans to expand its Robotaxi fleet to 1,000 vehicles by the end of 2025, while WeRide is pursuing a global expansion strategy [21] - Both companies are engaged in a competitive race for the title of "Robotaxi first stock," with WeRide successfully listing on NASDAQ first, achieving a market cap of $4.491 billion on its debut [12] Technology and Innovation - Small Horse Intelligent's technology emphasizes a dual approach of Robotaxi and Robotruck, utilizing a multi-sensor fusion strategy for its seventh-generation Robotaxi [7] - WeRide has developed a diverse product matrix that includes Robotaxi, Robobus, Robovan, and Robosweeper, showcasing its adaptability across various scenarios [9] Market Dynamics - The competition between Small Horse Intelligent and WeRide is characterized by a focus on "technical depth" versus "scene breadth," indicating a long-term strategic battle in the autonomous driving space [22]