- WeRide and Farizon plan to deploy 2,000 factory-built autonomous robotaxis globally by 2026.
- Advanced GEN8 sensor architecture and large-scale manufacturing aim to reduce cost and accelerate commercialization.
The WeRide GXR robotaxi program is entering a major commercialization phase as Chinese autonomous driving developer WeRide strengthens its strategic partnership with Farizon, the commercial vehicle unit of Geely. The collaboration will enable the production and global deployment of 2,000 factory-installed autonomous robotaxis scheduled for delivery across domestic and international markets in 2026.
Large-Scale Autonomous Vehicle Manufacturing
The upgraded GXR model is expected to roll off the production line during the third quarter of 2026. By integrating Farizon’s industrial manufacturing system, the companies aim to significantly increase production efficiency while enabling large-scale rollout of autonomous mobility services.
According to the company, the optimized production system will reduce vehicle assembly time from roughly one hour per unit to less than ten minutes. This shift toward high-throughput manufacturing highlights the industry's transition from pilot deployments to industrial-scale autonomous fleet production.
Advanced Sensor Architecture and Performance
The vehicles will incorporate WeRide’s GEN8 autonomous driving sensor suite, which introduces major improvements in environmental perception and detection capability.
High-Resolution LiDAR Technology
The system features a thousand-channel primary LiDAR sensor capable of increasing point cloud resolution by nearly seventeen times compared with previous generations. The sensing platform also supports a maximum detection range of approximately 600 meters, enhancing long-distance perception and overall driving safety.
Cost Optimization and Fleet Expansion Strategy
Continuous engineering refinements are expected to reduce overall vehicle cost by an additional 15 percent for the upgraded platform. Lower hardware costs and faster production cycles are key elements in making autonomous ride-hailing services commercially viable.
As of January 2026, the company reported a global robotaxi fleet of 1,023 vehicles. With the delivery of the new production batch, the operational fleet is projected to surpass 2,600 vehicles during the year, strengthening the company’s long-term goal of deploying tens of thousands of autonomous vehicles worldwide by 2030.
Global Market Deployment Plans
The company intends to use its collaboration with Farizon to accelerate autonomous mobility deployment across China, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Europe. International operations are already progressing in several regions.
Fleet operations in Abu Dhabi are approaching a per-vehicle break-even point, demonstrating improving commercial viability. Meanwhile, trial services in Singapore are scheduled to open to the public starting April 1, expanding real-world autonomous ride-hailing access to additional urban markets.
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