Pony AI Robotaxi Achieves Per Vehicle Profitability in Shenzhen with Seventh-Generation System

Pony AI (NASDAQ: PONY) announced that its seventh-generation Pony AI robotaxi achieved per vehicle profitability in Shenzhen in February, marking a significant milestone for the autonomous driving startup. The breakthrough demonstrates the commercial viability of the Pony AI robotaxi model in a second tier-one city after a similar achievement in Guangzhou in November 2025. Strong user demand, higher daily orders per vehicle, and cost efficiencies from its seventh-generation system played a central role in delivering sustainable margins.

Commercial Breakthrough for Pony AI Robotaxi in Shenzhen

The profitability milestone positions the Pony AI robotaxi as a scalable autonomous mobility solution in China’s competitive urban markets. Following its earlier success in Guangzhou, Shenzhen becomes the second tier-one city where the company has demonstrated per vehicle profitability under real-world operating conditions.

Revenue and Order Performance

As of February 28, the Shenzhen fleet recorded an average daily net revenue per vehicle of 338 yuan (approximately $49). During the same period, vehicles averaged 23 daily orders per vehicle, matching the performance level achieved at break-even in Guangzhou. This consistency in daily orders per vehicle highlights stable demand patterns and operational maturity.

Fleet Expansion and Growing User Demand

Since launching commercial operations in Shenzhen last March, the company significantly accelerated fleet expansion. Operational coverage increased from an initial 21.7 square kilometers to 167.4 square kilometers, strengthening service accessibility and rider convenience.

Surge in Paid Order Volume

The expanded service footprint drove a rapid rise in user adoption. By February 16, Shenzhen’s paid order volume for the year had already exceeded the city’s total for all of 2025. During the 2026 Spring Festival holiday, average daily paid orders per vehicle reached 26, well above last year’s national average of 15 orders per vehicle per day.

Cost Optimization Through Seventh-Generation System

The transition to per vehicle profitability was also supported by substantial cost improvements. The seventh-generation system adopted fully automotive-grade components, reducing material costs by about 70% compared to the previous generation. These efficiencies strengthened the business case for scaling the Pony AI robotaxi fleet while maintaining competitive pricing and operational stability.

Future Expansion Strategy

In its November 2025 earnings report, the company stated that it aims to expand its robotaxi fleet to more than 3,000 vehicles by the end of 2026. With demonstrated per vehicle profitability in Shenzhen and Guangzhou, the Pony AI robotaxi platform is positioned for accelerated deployment across additional high-density urban markets in China.