Europe Gets New Robotaxi Contender as Pony.ai Teams Up with Stellantis

TLDR

• Chinese robotaxi company Pony.ai announced a partnership with automaker Stellantis to test self-driving taxis in Europe
• Testing will begin in Luxembourg in the coming months using Peugeot e-Traveller electric vans with Pony.ai’s autonomous driving software
• The companies plan to expand testing to other European cities starting in 2026
• The partnership comes days after Waymo announced plans to test robotaxis in London next year
• Pony.ai and Chinese competitor WeRide recently received Chinese regulatory approval for dual listings in Hong Kong

Chinese robotaxi operator Pony.ai has formed a partnership with European automaker Stellantis to bring autonomous taxi services to Europe. The companies announced the collaboration on Friday.

The partnership will combine Pony.ai’s self-driving software with Stellantis vehicles. Stellantis owns several major car brands including Chrysler, Citroën, Jeep, and Peugeot.

Stellantis N.V., STLA

Testing will start in Luxembourg where Pony.ai’s European division is based. The companies plan to begin tests in the coming months using the Peugeot e-Traveller electric van.

After the initial testing phase in Luxembourg, the companies aim to expand operations. They plan a gradual rollout across multiple European cities starting in 2026.

The partnership focuses initially on light-commercial vehicles. Stellantis holds a strong position in this market segment through its Stellantis Pro One business unit.

Competition in European Market

The announcement follows Waymo’s announcement earlier this week about testing in London. Waymo, owned by Google parent company Alphabet, plans to launch robotaxi services in the UK capital next year.

Robotaxi operators typically need to establish safety records through local testing. This testing is required to obtain regulatory approval for operating autonomous vehicles on public roads.

Major cities in the United States and China have led the way in allowing robotaxi operations. Companies have recently accelerated efforts to expand into Europe and the Middle East.

Corporate Structure and Stock Performance

Pony.ai and Chinese competitor WeRide both trade on U.S. stock exchanges. The two companies received Chinese regulatory approval this week for dual listings in Hong Kong.

Stellantis stock rose in premarket trading on Friday following the partnership announcement. The stock has declined over 16 percent year-to-date.

Pony.ai stock has gained over 42 percent during the same period. Retail investor sentiment toward Pony.ai remained bearish on trading platforms as of Friday morning.

Autonomous Driving Technology

The partnership represents Stellantis’ strategy of working with specialized technology companies. Chief Engineering and Technology Officer Ned Curic said the automaker has built systems ready for autonomous driving integration.

Curic cited Pony.ai’s technical expertise and collaborative approach as key factors in the partnership. He said Stellantis is partnering with leading players in the autonomous vehicle industry.

The companies indicated the collaboration could expand beyond commercial vehicles. Future plans may include autonomous mobility services for both cargo transportation and passenger transport.

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