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China’s Pony.ai eyes ‘sizeable fleet’ in Hong Kong, unfazed by Tesla robotaxi competition
Pony.ai’s optimism reflects its achievement as the only firm to operate robotaxi services in the mainland’s four most developed cities
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Chinese autonomous driving technology firm Pony.ai expects to deploy a fleet of robotaxis in Hong Kong after completing regulatory hurdles, while downplaying potential competition from Tesla.
“We have already set a footprint in Guangzhou and we are eyeing Hong Kong,” chief financial officer Leo Wang said at a media event in the city on Tuesday.
He said Pony.ai needed to work with local authorities and partners to explore the best way forward.
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On working with the city’s Transport Department, Wang said Pony.ai has engaged in dialogue already, “but a lot needs to be done”.
“This is an effort we’ll be relentlessly working on, but due to the complexity, it’s a bit hard to predict,” he said. “So when we’ll actually have a sizeable fleet on Hong Kong Island, I’m not sure yet. Hopefully soon.”
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The optimism of Pony.ai reflects its achievement as the only firm with approval to operate robotaxi services in the mainland’s four most developed cities – Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen – as it pursues growth in the Greater Bay Area and explores potential new markets in Europe.
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