Pony AI Partners With Uber, Verne to Deploy Robotaxis in Europe

By Jiahui Huang

China's Pony AI is partnering with Uber Technologies and autonomous driving startup Verne to deploy a robotaxi service in Europe, expanding its footprint overseas as it races toward profitability.

Nasdaq-listed Pony AI--one of the "Big Three" of China's robotaxi industry--will launch the service with Uber and Verne in the Croatian capital of Zagreb.

The move comes as Chinese robotaxi companies push to grow their fleets at home and overseas to reach the tipping point where they can start turning sustainable profits and win over consumers.

Last year, Pony AI struck a tie-up with auto giant Stellantis to deploy robotaxis in Europe, starting with test drives in Luxembourg, where the Chinese company's European division is based.

Its peers, WeRide and Baidu's Apollo Go, have also expanded into the European market.

Guangzhou-based Pony AI said Thursday that it will work with Uber and Verne on scaling commercial robotaxi services in Zagreb and other European cities. The trio have already started road tests in the Croatian city and aim to have a fleet of thousands of robotaxis over the next few years, they said.

"Croatia has a strong tourism profile and attracts large numbers of international visitors each year, which adds another dimension to long-term mobility demand," said James Peng, chief executive of Pony AI.

Under the partnership, Pony AI will provide autonomous-driving technology while Verne will act as the fleet owner and service operator. Uber will integrate the driverless taxi service into its global ride-hailing network.

Verne is a Croatian company backed by Tasaru Mobility Investments, which is fully owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.

The announcement comes on the cusp of Pony AI's fourth-quarter earnings results, which investors will be watching for signs of progress in its profitability milestones.

In the third quarter, the firm's net loss widened on a near-doubling of research-and-development expenses. Revenue rose 72% thanks to strong growth in robotaxi services, and licensing and application revenues.

Pony AI also said it reached single-unit economics breakeven in Guangzhou and Shenzhen --two key markets in China--meaning it books a profit every time it adds a car to its local fleet.

Write to Jiahui Huang at jiahui.huang@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

March 26, 2026 04:29 ET (08:29 GMT)