WeRide Inc. Advances Autonomous Mobility Amid Regulatory Milestones and Investor Interest
WeRide Inc., an investment‑holding company headquartered in Guangzhou, has intensified its push into autonomous mobility across multiple sectors. The company’s core product portfolio—robotaxis, robobus, robovan, and robosweeper—extends to advanced driver‑assist systems and an on‑demand ride‑hailing platform, WeRide Go. In the third quarter of 2025, the sovereign wealth fund Temasek Holdings disclosed a stake of 1.4 million shares in WeRide, underscoring the growing confidence of institutional investors in the company’s technology and market prospects.
Regulatory Green Light in Singapore
On 13 November 2025, Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) formally approved autonomous vehicle (AV) testing for WeRide’s entire Autonomously Intelligent Ride (Ai.R) fleet in the Punggol district. The decision, reported by several outlets—including the Business Times, Wall Street‑Online, and Globenewswire—paved the way for the first public trials of WeRide’s autonomous mobility services in the city‑state. The trials are set to begin in partnership with Grab, the region’s leading super‑app, and will focus on both robotaxi and robo‑bus deployments. The LTA’s endorsement is a significant regulatory milestone, indicating that WeRide’s safety and operational protocols have met stringent local standards.
Expansion of Trial Scope
Following the initial approval, WeRide and Grab secured permission to conduct full‑fleet testing in Punggol, as announced by the LTA. The tests will evaluate vehicle performance under diverse traffic conditions and will serve as a benchmark for future commercial deployment. The trials are expected to commence shortly, with a view to a broader public launch of autonomous ride‑service offerings in Singapore.
Incident Report in Abu Dhabi
While regulatory progress in Singapore is positive, a separate incident surfaced on 13 November 2025 when a WeRide self‑driving car collided with a pedestrian during the Abu Dhabi Event Days, only days after the vehicle received a local license approval. The incident, reported by Eletric‑Vehicles.com, highlights the challenges of operating autonomous systems in complex real‑world environments. WeRide has not yet released a formal statement regarding the cause of the accident or potential adjustments to its safety protocols.
Market Context
The company’s shares trade under the ticker 0800.HK on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, with a market capitalization of approximately 21.25 billion HKD. As of 13 November 2025, the stock closed at 19.8 HKD, a slight decline from the 52‑week high of 24.98 HKD. The recent influx of capital from Temasek and the regulatory approvals in Singapore may support upward momentum, though short‑term volatility remains a consideration for investors.
Key Takeaways
- Regulatory approval in Singapore marks a critical step toward commercial AV deployment.
- Temasek’s investment reflects institutional confidence and provides financial backing for scaling operations.
- The Abu Dhabi incident underscores the necessity of continuous safety validation as autonomous vehicles enter diverse operating contexts.
- Share performance has been modest, with the stock hovering near its mid‑year range despite recent news.
WeRide’s trajectory illustrates the dual nature of the autonomous mobility sector: regulatory advancements and investor enthusiasm tempered by the technical and safety hurdles that remain before widespread adoption.
