Pony.ai Launches Europe's First Commercial Robotaxi Service in Zagreb
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Apr 08 2026
0mins
Should l Buy PONY?
Source: PRnewswire
- First Commercial Robotaxi: Pony.ai, in partnership with Verne and Uber, officially launches Europe's first commercial robotaxi service in Zagreb, marking a significant milestone in the global commercialization of autonomous driving technology.
- Service Coverage Area: The initial service spans approximately 90 square kilometers in central Zagreb, including Zagreb Airport, operating daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., with plans to expand coverage to meet growing market demand.
- Dual-Engine Growth Strategy: This launch not only validates Pony.ai's Gen-7 robotaxi capabilities in a new market but also demonstrates the adaptability of its autonomous driving solution across diverse regulatory and operational environments, further advancing the company's international expansion.
- Future Development Goals: Pony.ai aims to grow its fleet to 3,000 vehicles by the end of 2026, leveraging its joint-deployment model and dual-engine strategy to drive growth and market penetration in the robotaxi sector.
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Analyst Views on PONY
Wall Street analysts forecast PONY stock price to rise
4 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 11.690
Low
15.00
Averages
24.95
High
31.30
Current: 11.690
Low
15.00
Averages
24.95
High
31.30
About PONY
Pony AI Inc is a holding company primarily engaged in the commercialization of autonomous driving technology. The Company mainly provides three services. The Robotaxis services provide online car-hailing services to individual passengers through autonomous driving taxis and offer engineering solutions for autonomous driving taxis. The engineering solution service projects typically involve a combination of software development, system integration, hardware components and related services. The Robotrucks services mainly engage in selling virtual driver solutions and providing freight services. The licensing and applications mainly provide intelligent travel solutions composed of software licenses, hardware and data analysis tools.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Goldman Sachs Bullish on Pony.ai and WeRide
- Goldman Ratings: Goldman Sachs initiated coverage on Pony.ai and WeRide with Buy ratings, highlighting their edge in autonomous driving technology and rapid commercialization in China and overseas, which is expected to drive future revenue growth for both companies.
- Price Targets Set: Goldman set a target price of HK$54.23 for WeRide and HK$234 for Pony.ai, despite both stocks showing weakness in the Hong Kong market, with WeRide down about 3% and Pony.ai down 4% at the time of reporting.
- Revenue Growth Forecast: Goldman predicts WeRide's revenue will grow at an 80% CAGR from 2025 to 2030, primarily driven by the expansion of its global robotaxi services, with its fleet expected to increase from 2,800 vehicles in 2026 to 415,000 by 2032.
- Market Competition Pressure: Despite Goldman’s bullish outlook, retail sentiment on Stocktwits remains cautious, with Pony.ai showing a bearish sentiment and WeRide a neutral stance, reflecting the complex market perceptions surrounding China's autonomous driving sector.
See More
Wayve Secures $60 Million Funding to Advance Autonomous Driving Technology
- Funding Update: British autonomous driving startup Wayve announced on Wednesday that it raised $60 million from Qualcomm, AMD, and Arm, marking a follow-on investment to its $1.2 billion funding round in February, highlighting its appeal and potential in the autonomous driving sector.
- Technological Edge: Wayve's technology aims to enable cars to drive autonomously without the need for high-definition maps or extensive training in specific areas, presenting a distinct approach compared to competitors like Waymo, which could accelerate its market penetration.
- Collaborative Prospects: Wayve has signed a commercial agreement with Nissan to integrate its AI technology into Nissan's driver-assistance systems, while also collaborating with Uber to develop robotaxis, indicating its intent to expand in global markets and commercialize its offerings.
- Market Competition: Wayve is testing its driverless cars in the U.K., Germany, Japan, and the U.S., facing fierce competition from Waymo and Chinese players like Baidu, WeRide, and Pony.ai, which will impact its market share and the speed of technology adoption.
See More
Wayve Secures $60 Million Investment from Major Tech Firms
- Funding Background: Wayve announced a $60 million follow-on investment from Qualcomm, AMD, and Arm, part of its $1.2 billion funding round from February, demonstrating its ongoing appeal in the autonomous driving sector.
- Technological Advantage: Wayve's technology aims to enable autonomous driving without the need for high-definition maps or extensive localized training, contrasting sharply with competitors like Waymo, potentially providing a competitive edge in the market.
- Market Expansion: Currently testing its driverless cars in the U.K., Germany, Japan, and the U.S., Wayve has signed a commercial deal with Nissan to integrate its AI into Nissan's driver-assistance systems, further pushing towards technology commercialization.
- Competitive Pressure: Despite backing from major semiconductor firms, Wayve faces intense competition from Waymo and Chinese players like Baidu, who are expanding their driverless technology offerings internationally, which could impact Wayve's market share.
See More
Uber Announces $10 Billion Investment in Robotaxi Sector
- Strategic Shift: Uber has announced a $10 billion investment in the robotaxi sector, including over $7.5 billion for fleet purchases, aiming to transition from its traditional gig economy model to better position itself against future market disruptions through partnerships with companies like Waymo and Nvidia.
- Equity Investments: The company plans to invest over $2.5 billion in equity stakes in various autonomous vehicle developers over the coming years, enhancing its position in the autonomous driving ecosystem while preventing competitors like Waymo and Tesla from bypassing its platform entirely.
- Market Expansion: Through its partnership with Nvidia, Uber aims to deploy Nvidia software-driven robotaxis across 28 cities by 2028, a move that not only boosts its competitive edge but also lays the groundwork for future revenue growth in the autonomous vehicle market.
- Increased Commitment: Uber has raised its investment in Lucid to $500 million and increased its commitment to purchase Lucid vehicles for its robotaxi service to 35,000 units, up from the previously announced 20,000 units, demonstrating its strategic focus on the electric vehicle market and future mobility solutions.
See More
Didi Launches First Robotaxi Test in UAE
- International Expansion Plans: Didi plans to initiate its first overseas robotaxi test in the UAE later this year, marking a significant step in its global strategy aimed at enhancing international competitiveness.
- Market Collaboration Dynamics: Didi's growing collaboration with local governments and businesses in Abu Dhabi, particularly following a meeting with the Crown Prince, underscores the increasing influence of Chinese firms in the Middle Eastern market.
- Competitive Landscape Analysis: In addition to Didi, Guangzhou-based WeRide and Pony.ai are also actively expanding in the UAE, with WeRide launching a fully driverless fare-charging robotaxi service in Dubai, indicating intensifying competition among Chinese robotaxi companies on the global stage.
- Future Development Prospects: With the rapid growth of the Middle Eastern market, over 1,000 robotaxis are expected to be operational in Dubai over the next few years, which will not only drive innovation in local transportation services but also provide new growth opportunities for Chinese companies in the international market.
See More
Chinese Robotaxi Companies Expand into Middle East
- Market Expansion Plans: At least three Chinese robotaxi companies are accelerating their entry into the Middle East market despite the ongoing Iran war, indicating their confidence and strategic positioning in international markets.
- Didi Testing Plans: Didi plans to conduct its first overseas robotaxi test in the UAE later this year, marking a significant step in its global expansion strategy.
- WeRide Service Launch: Guangzhou-based WeRide has launched a fully driverless, fare-charging robotaxi service in Dubai's Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim districts, allowing riders to book through Uber's app, showcasing its successful entry into the international market.
- Pony.ai and Baidu Progress: Pony.ai and Baidu's Apollo Go are also actively pursuing commercial operations in Dubai, with Pony.ai having received testing permission from the local transport authority, while Apollo Go plans to roll out over 1,000 robotaxis in the coming years, demonstrating the competitiveness of Chinese firms in the global autonomous driving sector.
See More
Goldman Sachs Bullish on Pony.ai and WeRide
- Goldman Ratings: Goldman Sachs initiated coverage on Pony.ai and WeRide with Buy ratings, highlighting their edge in autonomous driving technology and rapid commercialization in China and overseas, which is expected to drive future revenue growth for both companies.
- Price Targets Set: Goldman set a target price of HK$54.23 for WeRide and HK$234 for Pony.ai, despite both stocks showing weakness in the Hong Kong market, with WeRide down about 3% and Pony.ai down 4% at the time of reporting.
- Revenue Growth Forecast: Goldman predicts WeRide's revenue will grow at an 80% CAGR from 2025 to 2030, primarily driven by the expansion of its global robotaxi services, with its fleet expected to increase from 2,800 vehicles in 2026 to 415,000 by 2032.
- Market Competition Pressure: Despite Goldman’s bullish outlook, retail sentiment on Stocktwits remains cautious, with Pony.ai showing a bearish sentiment and WeRide a neutral stance, reflecting the complex market perceptions surrounding China's autonomous driving sector.
See More
Wayve Secures $60 Million Funding to Advance Autonomous Driving Technology
- Funding Update: British autonomous driving startup Wayve announced on Wednesday that it raised $60 million from Qualcomm, AMD, and Arm, marking a follow-on investment to its $1.2 billion funding round in February, highlighting its appeal and potential in the autonomous driving sector.
- Technological Edge: Wayve's technology aims to enable cars to drive autonomously without the need for high-definition maps or extensive training in specific areas, presenting a distinct approach compared to competitors like Waymo, which could accelerate its market penetration.
- Collaborative Prospects: Wayve has signed a commercial agreement with Nissan to integrate its AI technology into Nissan's driver-assistance systems, while also collaborating with Uber to develop robotaxis, indicating its intent to expand in global markets and commercialize its offerings.
- Market Competition: Wayve is testing its driverless cars in the U.K., Germany, Japan, and the U.S., facing fierce competition from Waymo and Chinese players like Baidu, WeRide, and Pony.ai, which will impact its market share and the speed of technology adoption.
See More
Wayve Secures $60 Million Investment from Major Tech Firms
- Funding Background: Wayve announced a $60 million follow-on investment from Qualcomm, AMD, and Arm, part of its $1.2 billion funding round from February, demonstrating its ongoing appeal in the autonomous driving sector.
- Technological Advantage: Wayve's technology aims to enable autonomous driving without the need for high-definition maps or extensive localized training, contrasting sharply with competitors like Waymo, potentially providing a competitive edge in the market.
- Market Expansion: Currently testing its driverless cars in the U.K., Germany, Japan, and the U.S., Wayve has signed a commercial deal with Nissan to integrate its AI into Nissan's driver-assistance systems, further pushing towards technology commercialization.
- Competitive Pressure: Despite backing from major semiconductor firms, Wayve faces intense competition from Waymo and Chinese players like Baidu, who are expanding their driverless technology offerings internationally, which could impact Wayve's market share.
See More
Uber Announces $10 Billion Investment in Robotaxi Sector
- Strategic Shift: Uber has announced a $10 billion investment in the robotaxi sector, including over $7.5 billion for fleet purchases, aiming to transition from its traditional gig economy model to better position itself against future market disruptions through partnerships with companies like Waymo and Nvidia.
- Equity Investments: The company plans to invest over $2.5 billion in equity stakes in various autonomous vehicle developers over the coming years, enhancing its position in the autonomous driving ecosystem while preventing competitors like Waymo and Tesla from bypassing its platform entirely.
- Market Expansion: Through its partnership with Nvidia, Uber aims to deploy Nvidia software-driven robotaxis across 28 cities by 2028, a move that not only boosts its competitive edge but also lays the groundwork for future revenue growth in the autonomous vehicle market.
- Increased Commitment: Uber has raised its investment in Lucid to $500 million and increased its commitment to purchase Lucid vehicles for its robotaxi service to 35,000 units, up from the previously announced 20,000 units, demonstrating its strategic focus on the electric vehicle market and future mobility solutions.
See More
Didi Launches First Robotaxi Test in UAE
- International Expansion Plans: Didi plans to initiate its first overseas robotaxi test in the UAE later this year, marking a significant step in its global strategy aimed at enhancing international competitiveness.
- Market Collaboration Dynamics: Didi's growing collaboration with local governments and businesses in Abu Dhabi, particularly following a meeting with the Crown Prince, underscores the increasing influence of Chinese firms in the Middle Eastern market.
- Competitive Landscape Analysis: In addition to Didi, Guangzhou-based WeRide and Pony.ai are also actively expanding in the UAE, with WeRide launching a fully driverless fare-charging robotaxi service in Dubai, indicating intensifying competition among Chinese robotaxi companies on the global stage.
- Future Development Prospects: With the rapid growth of the Middle Eastern market, over 1,000 robotaxis are expected to be operational in Dubai over the next few years, which will not only drive innovation in local transportation services but also provide new growth opportunities for Chinese companies in the international market.
See More
Chinese Robotaxi Companies Expand into Middle East
- Market Expansion Plans: At least three Chinese robotaxi companies are accelerating their entry into the Middle East market despite the ongoing Iran war, indicating their confidence and strategic positioning in international markets.
- Didi Testing Plans: Didi plans to conduct its first overseas robotaxi test in the UAE later this year, marking a significant step in its global expansion strategy.
- WeRide Service Launch: Guangzhou-based WeRide has launched a fully driverless, fare-charging robotaxi service in Dubai's Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim districts, allowing riders to book through Uber's app, showcasing its successful entry into the international market.
- Pony.ai and Baidu Progress: Pony.ai and Baidu's Apollo Go are also actively pursuing commercial operations in Dubai, with Pony.ai having received testing permission from the local transport authority, while Apollo Go plans to roll out over 1,000 robotaxis in the coming years, demonstrating the competitiveness of Chinese firms in the global autonomous driving sector.
See More
