UBS upgrades Pony AI to a Buy rating with a $20 price target, implying 53% upside potential from its current $13.94 stock price. The investment bank highlights Pony AI as the first robotaxi company to operate in all four Chinese tier-one cities, noting its autonomous technology and 2025-30 96% CAGR forecast. Pony AI has secured driverless permits in Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, with its seventh-generation BAIC Robotaxi model undergoing testing in Beijing. The company’s autonomous driving domain controller has surpassed 2 million km of testing, with 80% cost reduction compared to previous generations.

Chinese internet giant Baidu plans to launch its robotaxis on rideshare app Lyft in Germany and Britain in 2026, pending regulatory approval. The agreement follows similar deals with Uber in Asia and the Middle East, as Baidu expands its autonomous driving technology globally. The deployment will involve thousands of Apollo Go driverless cars in Europe, while other Chinese companies like WeRide and Pony.AI also seek to expand their autonomous driving presence abroad. Lyft's acquisition of German taxi app Freenow further highlights the growing interest in robotaxis in Europe.

Shanghai has begun trial operations for driverless taxis after receiving China's first demonstration licenses. Pony.ai, in collaboration with Shanghai Jinjiang Taxi, launched Robotaxi services in Pudong's Jinqiao and Huamu areas, with residents booking rides via the Pony.ai app. The service operates from 7:30 am to 9:30 pm, Monday to Friday, and charges 16.8 yuan for a 5 km trip. The city aims to expand autonomous driving zones to achieve full coverage in Pudong by 2027, with a projected robotaxi market growth from $54 million in 2025 to $47 billion by 2035.

Chinese tech giant Baidu plans to launch robotaxis on Lyft in Germany and Britain in 2026, pending regulatory approval. The move follows similar agreements with Uber in Asia and the Middle East, as Baidu seeks to dominate autonomous driving technology. Other Chinese companies like WeRide and Pony.AI are also expanding into global markets, while Lyft acquired Freenow to strengthen its European presence.

The article details the global competition between the U.S. and China in the robotaxi market, highlighting deployment numbers, revenue, and future projections. Key players include Waymo, Tesla, Pony AI, WeRide, and Baidu, with Chinese companies leading in scale and operational readiness.