WeRide Inc. shares took a 5.16% plunge in after-hours trading on Monday, despite the company's announcement of launching its latest robotaxi model for fully unmanned commercial operations in Beijing.
The company revealed that it has received approval to deploy its GXR robotaxi for paid ride-hailing services in key regions of Beijing, including routes to and from the city's international airport. While WeRide touted this as a pivotal achievement for the autonomous driving industry, investors seemed to react cautiously to the news.
Analysts suggest that the muted market response could stem from concerns over the potential costs and time required to scale up the robotaxi fleet significantly. WeRide plans to increase the number of robotaxis operating in Beijing to several hundred by 2025, which may require substantial capital investment.