Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call focuses on the **autonomous mobility** sector, particularly in the **UAE** and **China Autos & Shared Mobility** industry [1][6] Core Insights - **WeRide's Robotaxi Service**: WeRide has launched its robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi, integrating its GXR fleet into the Uber app's "Autonomous" ride-hailing option. Following this rollout, trip volumes increased by approximately **20%** [2] - **Vehicle Capacity and Pricing**: Each WeRide vehicle can accommodate up to **five passengers**, with fares aligned to Uber's Comfort tier [2] - **Pony.ai's Developments**: Pony.ai has initiated road-testing of its robotaxis in Dubai, aiming for fully driverless commercial services by **2026** [3] - **Robobus Trials**: WeRide is also trialing robobus operations in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, with plans for commercialization in early **2026**. The robobus service connects hotels and tourist attractions with a short route of **nine stops** [3] Market Dynamics - The **UAE** is emerging as a regional hub for autonomous driving, with multiple players scaling up robotaxi and robobus deployments [9] - The autonomous driving market is expected to be relatively consolidated within regions due to regulatory and cultural differences favoring local leaders [9] - Network effects are anticipated to reduce costs, enhance AI performance, and attract users, making it challenging for latecomers to compete [9] Company-Specific Insights - **WeRide Inc.**: The company is viewed positively due to its early-mover advantage in Level 4+ autonomous driving, although potential regulatory challenges exist [11] - **Horizon Robotics**: The company is expected to gain market share among ADAS+AD players in China, but faces rising competition and geopolitical risks [10] Risks and Opportunities - **Upside Risks**: Faster-than-expected adoption of ADAS/AD, large-scale commercialization of robotaxis and robovans, and reaching net profit before **2027** [13][14] - **Downside Risks**: Slower-than-expected ADAS adoption, supply chain disruptions, and regulatory tightening on driverless vehicles in China [13][14] Conclusion - The autonomous mobility sector is rapidly evolving, with significant developments in the UAE and China. Companies like WeRide and Pony.ai are at the forefront, but they must navigate regulatory landscapes and competitive pressures to capitalize on growth opportunities [9][11]

NEW YORK, July 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WeRide Inc. ("WeRide" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: WRD), a global leader in autonomous driving technology, today announced its unaudited financial results for the three months ended June 30, 2025. Recent Highlights Redefining Autonomous Driving with Leading Technology Breakthroughs High-Performance Computing (HPC) 3.0 Platform Powered by NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Thor Chips Partnership with Chery on New-Generation Robotaxi to Revolutionize Urban Mobility Unparalleled Robotax ...

Core Insights - WeRide Inc. reported its unaudited financial results for Q1 2025, highlighting a total revenue of RMB72.4 million (US$10.0 million), a 1.8% increase from the same period in 2024, despite global economic uncertainties [15][4][14] - The company expanded its robotaxi services through strategic partnerships, notably with Uber, which includes a US$100 million equity investment and the launch of services in 15 additional cities [3][4][14] - WeRide's gross profit margin remained stable at 35% in Q1 2025, with a significant increase in revenue contribution from the robotaxi business [4][18] Financial Performance - Total revenue for Q1 2025 was RMB72.4 million (US$10.0 million), compared to RMB71.2 million in Q1 2024 [15] - Revenue from the robotaxi business was RMB16.1 million (US$2.2 million), contributing 22.3% of total revenue, up from 11.9% in the same period of 2024 [4][15] - The company reported a net loss of RMB385.1 million (US$53.1 million), an improvement from a net loss of RMB468.1 million in Q1 2024 [21][37] Strategic Partnerships and Expansion - WeRide expanded its partnership with Uber to include 15 additional cities, enhancing its robotaxi services and aiming for scalable operations [3][4][14] - The company launched its robotaxi services in Dubai in collaboration with the Dubai Road and Transport Authority and Uber, marking a significant step in international expansion [4][3] - WeRide and Tencent Cloud entered into an expanded strategic cooperation agreement to support autonomous driving R&D and commercialization efforts [3] Regulatory Approvals and Technological Advancements - WeRide obtained multiple regulatory approvals for commercial deployments in both domestic and international markets, facilitating its expansion efforts [4] - The company received the first batch of driverless road-testing licenses for its robovan W5 in Guangzhou, China, marking a significant regulatory milestone [8] - WeRide launched fully driverless robotaxi testing in Abu Dhabi, the first of its kind in the Middle East, and introduced a 24-hour autonomous ride-hailing network in Guangzhou [11][4] Research and Development - R&D expenses increased to RMB325.7 million (US$44.9 million) in Q1 2025, reflecting a 17.3% increase from RMB277.6 million in Q1 2024, driven by personnel-related expenses and professional service fees [21] - The company is focused on enhancing its technological leadership and expanding its end-to-end mass-market ADAS solutions [14][21] Market Position and Future Outlook - WeRide is positioned as a global leader in autonomous mobility, with operations in over 30 cities across 10 countries [32] - The company aims to make autonomous driving accessible and affordable, with ongoing efforts to diversify revenue streams and expand its market presence [14][4]

Core Viewpoint - WeRide has become the first and only autonomous driving technology company to hold licenses for fully driverless public road testing and operations in five countries: China, UAE, Singapore, France, and the USA, showcasing its strong cross-national market applicability and mature compliance, safety, and reliability in operations [1][2]. Group 1: License Acquisition - WeRide, in collaboration with beti, has obtained a public road testing and operation license for fully driverless vehicles in France, marking a significant achievement in the autonomous driving sector [1][2]. - The license allows WeRide's autonomous minibuses to operate at a maximum speed of 40 km/h, which is currently the highest speed approved for fully driverless road testing and operations in France [2]. Group 2: Project Implementation - On February 27, WeRide, along with beti, Renault Group, and Macif, launched the first public road autonomous minibus commercial operation project in Valence, Drôme, France, with the new license providing regulatory support for its successful operation [4]. - The four partners plan to implement a remote-assisted one-to-many fully driverless commercial operation model by July of this year [4]. Group 3: International Expansion - WeRide has conducted autonomous driving research, testing, and operations in 10 countries and 30 cities, with its products such as robotaxi, robobus, and robosweeper already deployed in various countries including France, Spain, Switzerland, Singapore, UAE, and Japan [6][9]. - The company maintains a collaborative approach with various partners, including Uber, Renault Group, beti, CTM, Zurich Airport, and Macif, to expand its network and deliver high-quality autonomous driving products and services globally [8].

Group 1 - WeRide has obtained France's Level-4 driverless public road testing and operating permit, making it the first technology company globally to hold driverless permits across five countries: China, the UAE, Singapore, France, and the U.S. [1] - The permit acquisition process in France involves multiple government agencies and was completed by WeRide and beti in three months, setting a record for the fastest driverless permit approval in France [2] - With the new permit, WeRide's autonomous minibus can operate at speeds of up to 40 km/h, the highest-speed driverless permit issued in France to date [3] Group 2 - On February 27, WeRide launched Europe's first public-road commercial autonomous minibus service in Valence, France, with plans to introduce fully driverless commercial operations by July 2025 [4] - WeRide has established a strong presence in 30 cities across 10 countries, deploying a fleet of pre-designed, mass-produced autonomous vehicles including robotaxi, robobus, and robosweeper [5] - The company has formed strategic partnerships with industry leaders such as Uber, Renault Group, beti, CTM, Zurich Airport, and Macif to build an open and collaborative ecosystem in autonomous mobility [6]