Group 1 - WeRide Inc. has launched its proprietary general-purpose simulation model, WeRide Genesis, aimed at enhancing the growth, training, and validation of autonomous vehicles (AVs) [1][2] - WeRide Genesis creates a digital universe that allows AI drivers to familiarize themselves with any city's driving environment within minutes, supporting the global commercialization of autonomous driving [2] - The simulation model incorporates four major AI modules that condense millions of kilometers of road testing into a few days of virtual simulation, significantly reducing time and costs compared to traditional road testing [3] Group 2 - WeRide Genesis supports various AVs, including Level 2++ advanced driver-assistance systems and Level 4 Robotaxis, and enables training and skill testing of AI drivers on a single platform [3] - WeRide Inc. focuses on autonomous driving products and solutions in China, with product categories including robotaxis, robobus, robovan, and robosweeper [3]

Core Viewpoint - BofA Securities initiated coverage on WeRide Inc. with a Buy rating and a price target of $12 per ADR [1] Group 1: Company Overview - WeRide is described as an emerging global provider of Level 4 autonomous-driving solutions [2] - The company is projected to significantly expand its fleet and achieve profitability by 2029 [2] Group 2: Growth Catalysts - Key catalysts for growth include a broader international rollout of robotaxi operations supported by strategic partnerships and first-mover advantages [2] - Improved profitability in China is expected as the company scales its operations [2] - Accelerated adoption of WeRide's robobus, robovan, and robosweeper offerings is anticipated, all integrated within the WeRide One platform [2] Group 3: Valuation Methodology - BofA's price target of $12 per ADR is based on an average of price-to-sales (P/S) and discounted cash flow (DCF) valuation methodologies [3] - The equivalent target for Hong Kong-listed shares is HKD 31 [3]

Core Insights - WeRide is valued at a market cap of $2.8 billion and provides autonomous driving products and solutions across various industries, including mobility, logistics, and sanitation [1] - The company reported a significant increase in its robotaxi business, with stock rising nearly 15% following strong third-quarter results [2] Financial Performance - Robotaxi revenue surged by 761% year-over-year, while total sales increased by 144% to $24 million in Q3 of 2025 [3] - Product revenue rose by 428%, driven by increased sales of robotaxis and robobuses, and service revenue climbed by 67% due to data services and autonomous driving operations [4] - Robotaxi revenue now constitutes 21% of total revenue, up from a negligible amount a year ago, and the company achieved a gross profit margin of 33% [4] Global Expansion - WeRide operates over 1,600 autonomous vehicles across 11 countries and 30 cities, recently obtaining the first city-level fully driverless robotaxi permit outside the U.S. in Abu Dhabi [5] - The company is expanding into Switzerland with the first driverless robotaxi license and into Saudi Arabia through Uber, while also experiencing growth in China with 300 robotaxis in Guangzhou and over 100 in Beijing [6] Business Model - WeRide's business model varies between domestic and international markets; in China, it owns and operates vehicles through the WeRide Go app, while internationally, it partners with Uber and Grab, maintaining an asset-light model [7] - This strategy allows WeRide to generate revenue through vehicle sales to partners, annual licensing fees, and commissions on ride fares [7]

Group 1: Market Overview - The domestic equity market indices experienced fluctuations and a downward trend, with various industry-themed funds performing poorly, while financial and real estate-themed funds showed relative resilience [4] - Passive funds significantly increased their positions in various broad-based ETFs, with notable inflows into TMT-themed ETFs [4] Group 2: Steel Industry Insights - The operating rates for cement and asphalt have dropped to the lowest levels for the same period in five years, indicating potential challenges in the construction sector [5] - The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's recent policies aim to promote the orderly exit of outdated steel production capacity, suggesting a potential recovery in steel sector profitability to historical average levels [5] Group 3: Machinery Export Data - In October 2025, the export growth rates for various machinery products, including electric tools and forklifts, showed significant declines, primarily due to high base effects and calendar impacts [6] - The export amounts for electric tools, hand tools, and lawn mowers decreased by 17%, 16%, and 15% year-on-year, respectively, reflecting a broader trend of declining export performance in the machinery sector [6] Group 4: Company Performance - Company revenue for Q3 2025 reached 171 million yuan, marking a substantial year-on-year increase of 144%, driven by significant growth in robotaxi and robobus sales [7] - Product revenue surged by 429% to 79 million yuan, while service revenue increased by 67% to 92 million yuan, highlighting strong demand for intelligent data and driving support services [7] - Revenue from robotaxi-related businesses reached 35.3 million yuan, reflecting a remarkable year-on-year growth of 761% [7]

Business Highlights - WeRide has a global presence in 11 countries and 30+ cities, conducting trials and commercial operations with permits in 8 countries[9] - The company boasts one of the largest AV fleets globally, with nearly 750 robotaxis and over 1,600 L4 vehicles, accumulating approximately 55 million km of L4 mileage[9] - WeRide was granted the world's first city-level fully driverless robotaxi permit outside of the US, specifically in Abu Dhabi, UAE[11] - In Dubai, UAE, WeRide secured an autonomous driving trial permit and plans to kick off service on Uber within 2025, with driverless operation commencing in 2026[19] - WeRide's robotaxis in Abu Dhabi are transitioning toward unit economics profitability, expecting unit economics breakeven with a 1:3 safety officer ratio and covering approximately 50% of the city core area[14] Financial Performance (Q3 2025) - Total revenue experienced a year-over-year growth of 1443%[71] - Robotaxi revenue saw a significant year-over-year increase of 7610%, accounting for 207% of total revenue[71] - The company achieved an industry-leading gross profit margin of 329%[71] - Adjusted net loss margin was (161%), compared to (343%) in 3Q2024[74] - Capital reserves as of September 30, 2025, amounted to 308 million USD[74] Technology and Products - WeRide One serves as a universal technology platform, adaptable to diverse urban applications, enabling scalable commercial deployment of L4 vehicles and state-of-the-art L2+ solutions[59] - WeRide GENESIS is a Generative Engineered Neural Environment for Simulated Intelligence in Self-driving[61]

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]

Core Insights - WeRide Inc. reported a significant growth in total revenue, which increased by 60.8% year-over-year to RMB127.2 million (US$17.8 million) for the second quarter of 2025, compared to RMB79.1 million in the same period of 2024 [7] - The company achieved its highest-ever quarterly robotaxi revenue, which surged by 836.7% year-over-year to RMB45.9 million (US$6.4 million), accounting for 36.1% of total revenue in 2Q2025 [3][11] - WeRide launched its High-Performance Computing (HPC) 3.0 platform, powered by NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Thor chips, which reduces autonomous driving suite costs by 50% and is fully automotive-grade [3][6] Financial Performance - Total revenue for 2Q2025 was RMB127.2 million (US$17.8 million), a 60.8% increase from RMB79.1 million in 2Q2024 [7] - Gross profit rose by 40.6% year-over-year to RMB35.7 million (US$5.0 million), with a gross margin of 28.1% [3][9] - The net loss for the quarter was RMB406.4 million (US$56.7 million), slightly improved from a net loss of RMB413.6 million in the same period of 2024 [12][16] Business Developments - WeRide expanded its robotaxi operations, launching Saudi Arabia's first-ever robotaxi pilot in Riyadh and becoming the only technology company with autonomous driving permits in six countries [3][5] - The WeRide-Uber robotaxi fleet in Abu Dhabi has tripled in size since its launch in December 2024, now covering about 50% of the city's core area [3][4] - The company showcased its new generation robotaxi model, CER, during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, featuring advanced safety systems and a spacious interior [3][5] Strategic Partnerships - WeRide partnered with Chery Group to develop the new generation robotaxi model, CER, which is built on WeRide's universal autonomous driving platform [3][5] - The company aims to grow its robotaxi fleet in Abu Dhabi to hundreds of vehicles, with plans to extend services to additional areas later this year [5][6] - WeRide's collaboration with Uber continues to expand, with plans for commercial robotaxi services in Saudi Arabia by the end of 2025 [5][6]

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]