WeRide, Geely Farizon, and Kwoon Chung Bus Holdings have signed an agreement to jointly develop a purpose-built right-hand-drive robotaxi, with commercial operations planned to begin in Hong Kong.
The partnership was announced during the 2026 International Automotive & Supply Chain Expo in Hong Kong and combines WeRide’s autonomous driving technology, Geely Farizon’s vehicle manufacturing capabilities, and Kwoon Chung’s transportation operations expertise.
Purpose-Built Right-Hand-Drive Platform
The new vehicle will be based on WeRide’s existing Robotaxi GXR platform but will be developed specifically for right-hand-drive markets rather than adapted from a left-hand-drive design.
According to the companies, the project will include modifications to vehicle architecture, autonomous driving software, and human-machine interface systems to meet the requirements of right-hand-drive jurisdictions.
The partners said the vehicle is being designed to accommodate local traffic regulations, road environments, and operational requirements in markets where vehicles drive on the left side of the road.
Hong Kong Selected for Initial Commercial Operations
Hong Kong will serve as the first commercial deployment market for the new robotaxi.
The city already plays a role in WeRide’s autonomous vehicle testing program through Kwoon Chung Smart Mobility, a subsidiary of Kwoon Chung Bus Holdings.
The company has previously operated left-hand-drive Robotaxi GXR vehicles in Hong Kong under a pilot autonomous driving license and has conducted public road testing in the city.
The partners said existing testing activities and regulatory engagement will help accelerate validation and commercialization of the right-hand-drive model.
Gateway to International Expansion
Beyond Hong Kong, the companies plan to target additional right-hand-drive markets, including Singapore, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Australia.
The project is intended to provide a scalable platform for expansion into regions where autonomous vehicle developers have traditionally focused on left-hand-drive markets.
Dr. Tony Han, founder and chief executive officer of WeRide, said the initiative supports the company’s broader international growth strategy.
“Globalization has always been central to WeRide’s strategy, with our autonomous vehicles having been deployed in over 40 cities across 12 countries,” Han said.
Extending Existing Collaboration
The agreement builds on an existing partnership between WeRide and Geely Farizon.
In 2024, the companies introduced the Robotaxi GXR, a purpose-built autonomous vehicle based on the Farizon SV platform.
The vehicle later entered fully driverless commercial operations in Beijing and Guangzhou.
According to WeRide, the Robotaxi GXR is currently operating commercially without safety drivers in Guangzhou, Beijing, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai.
Expanding Autonomous Vehicle Fleet
WeRide plans to significantly expand its robotaxi operations over the coming years.
The company has stated a goal of growing its global robotaxi fleet to approximately 2,600 vehicles by the end of 2026, with ambitions to deploy tens of thousands of autonomous vehicles by 2030.
The addition of a dedicated right-hand-drive platform is expected to broaden the company’s addressable market and support expansion into additional international cities.
The partnership also highlights growing collaboration between autonomous driving developers, vehicle manufacturers, and transportation operators as companies seek to commercialize self-driving mobility services on a larger scale.
