WeRide Inc. (WRD) saw its stock price plummet by 5.07% during intraday trading on Thursday, as news of Tesla's entry into the robotaxi market sent shockwaves through the autonomous vehicle industry. The significant drop highlights investors' concerns about intensifying competition in the rapidly evolving sector.
The stock's decline coincides with Tesla's announcement that it has begun testing its robotaxi service with employees in Austin and the San Francisco Bay Area. Tesla plans for a broader launch this summer, utilizing its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system. While not yet fully autonomous, Tesla's move represents a significant step forward in the commercialization of self-driving technology.
As a key player in the autonomous driving space, WeRide Inc. now faces increased pressure from Tesla's market entry. The robotaxi market is becoming increasingly crowded, with companies like Waymo (backed by Google), Amazon's Zoox, Baidu, and Pony AI all vying for market share. Tesla's brand recognition and existing vehicle fleet could pose a substantial threat to smaller, specialized companies like WeRide, potentially explaining the sharp decline in its stock price as investors reassess the competitive landscape.
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