Chinese self-driving technology firm WeRide, fresh off raising HK$2.39 billion (US$307 million) in a Hong Kong share sale, plans to rev up commercialisation of autonomous taxis and expand into markets like the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Japan.
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Tony Han, founder and CEO of the Guangzhou-based company, said WeRide would deploy 10,000 robotaxis worldwide over the next few years, adding that its fleet could eventually grow to hundreds of thousands in line with the ultimate goal of “supplying more ubiquitously available global taxi service”.
“WeRide, as the first mover and industrial leader in the self-driving industry, will expand to the global market,” he said, adding that the proceeds from the Hong Kong offering would support research and development as well as geographic expansion.
Han said WeRide also planned to roll out different lines of businesses, such as using premium-level autonomous cars to provide taxi service to wealthy customers.
“But we definitely will focus on supplying very efficient or economically efficient services to the working class or normal people,” he added.
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WeRide, which already trades on the Nasdaq market, made its Hong Kong trading debut on Thursday, where its shares fell 14 per cent to HK$23.22 at the start of trading. The firm priced its Hong Kong shares at HK$27.10 apiece, a premium of 11.5 per cent to its Tuesday close of US$9.40 on the Nasdaq. One American depositary share is equal to three ordinary shares.