WeRide Inc. Announces Hong Kong IPO and Expands Global Robotaxi Footprint

WeRide Inc., a holding company focused on autonomous‑driving technology, has taken a significant step toward broadening its capital base and accelerating its commercial operations. On October 28, 2025, the company began its initial public offering (IPO) on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the ticker WERIDE‑W (00800.HK), with a dual‑class share structure. The offering will raise up to 88.25 million shares: 4.41 million for the Hong Kong public offering (5 %) and 83.84 million for the international placement (95 %). The deal is being underwritten by CICC and Morgan Stanley.

IPO Details and Market Reaction

  • Share price at launch: The shares opened trading at HKD 10.64 (US $1.36), matching the recent close of US $10.64 on the Nasdaq.
  • Valuation: The IPO values the company at approximately US $3.3 billion, reflecting the market’s confidence in WeRide’s technology platform and its global expansion plans.
  • Investor interest: The offering attracted substantial demand from both institutional and retail investors, underscoring the appetite for autonomous‑vehicle (AV) technology in Asia.

Strategic Expansion of Robotaxi Services

WeRide’s CEO, Tony Han, emphasized that autonomous driving “cannot guarantee 100 % safety, but could be 10 times safer than human drivers within the decade.” This statement aligns with the company’s aggressive rollout strategy:

  1. Middle East and Southeast Asia

    • The company is launching limited robotaxi services in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Singapore in partnership with local operators such as Grab Holdings and ComfortDelGro.
    • These markets provide a controlled environment for testing and refining AV operations before expanding into larger urban centers.

  2. European Market Entry

    • WeRide plans to enter Germany and the United Kingdom in the coming years, following the successful expansion of peers Baidu’s Apollo Go and Pony AI.
    • The expansion is backed by Beijing’s strategic support for autonomous driving as a national priority.

  3. Competitive Position

    • Chinese robotaxi firms, including WeRide, are currently outnumbering U.S. rivals such as Waymo and Tesla in terms of projects moving from testing to commercialization.
    • While Waymo’s deployments are largely domestic, WeRide’s international footprint positions it to capture a larger share of the global market.

Company Profile

  • Sector: Consumer Discretionary
  • Primary Exchange: Nasdaq (US) and Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HK)
  • Market Capitalization: US $3.33 billion
  • P/E Ratio: -6.62 (negative due to current operating losses)
  • Operating Model: Holding company structure with subsidiaries that develop autonomous‑driving technology and provide commercial robotaxi services across mobility, logistics, and sanitation sectors.
  • Recent Share Performance: 52‑week high of US $44, 52‑week low of US $6.03, closing at US $10.64 on 2025‑10‑23.

Outlook

The IPO provides WeRide with the capital necessary to support its global expansion and to advance research and development of its autonomous‑driving platform. The company’s strategy to enter diverse international markets, coupled with strong backing from Chinese technology leaders and government support, positions it favorably against U.S. competitors. As WeRide continues to move from testing to commercialization, investors will monitor its progress in key regions and its ability to deliver on safety and efficiency promises in the autonomous‑vehicle sector.