Uber expands robotaxi ambitions with new Hong Kong investments

Pony AI (PONY) and WeRide (WRD) shares surged following a Bloomberg report that Uber (UBER) plans to invest in their Hong Kong stock exchange listings.
The move would deepen Uber’s partnerships with the two leading Chinese autonomous vehicle companies, signaling its growing global focus on the robotaxi and autonomous driving ecosystem.

Market reaction

Pony AI (PONY) rose 6.61% to $20.82.
WeRide (WRD) gained 4.98% to $11.53.
Uber (UBER) advanced 2.48% to $96.82.

Strategic significance

Uber already invested in both companies’ IPOs in the U.S.
Both Pony AI and WeRide are currently listed on Nasdaq and are pursuing dual primary listings in Hong Kong.
The investments could strengthen Uber’s ties in Asia’s autonomous driving market, providing potential synergies in AI driving systems, fleet deployment, and regional mobility operations.
The move also reflects Uber’s broader ambition to accelerate its robotaxi business globally, alongside U.S.-based partners.

Broader context

Uber has been increasingly aligning itself with autonomous technology firms both in the U.S. and Asia, viewing self-driving solutions as a critical component of its next growth phase.
Analysts note that Uber’s involvement in Chinese autonomous startups could improve its competitive positioning against rivals like Tesla, Alphabet’s Waymo, and Baidu’s Apollo Go.