Chinese Robotaxis to Challenge Waymo in the Global Driverless Car Race
Chinese robotaxi developers are gaining momentum globally, placing pressure on established players like Waymo as the push for driverless vehicles becomes a global strategic priority. Business Standard
Key Chinese companies such as Baidu Inc. (via its Apollo Go service), WeRide Inc., and Pony.ai Inc. are expanding beyond China into markets like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Singapore, and are eyeing launches in Europe and the UK.
China’s government has declared autonomous driving a strategic sector to achieve global leadership by 2035. Access to low-cost sensors, a deep EV and mobility supply chain, and strong state support are cited as competitive advantages for Chinese firms. Meanwhile, Waymo continues to dominate in the United States, but now faces an accelerating competitor with global ambitions.
For the broader mobility and tyre ecosystem, this trend has important implications. As robotaxi fleets grow, demand for tyres able to handle high utilisation, 24/7 operation, and diverse climates will increase. Tyre manufacturers and suppliers must prepare for new performance requirements, including greater durability, consistent wear rates, and possibly specialised variance for autonomous fleet applications.
Editor’s View
The rapid advance of Chinese robotaxis signals a shift in mobility architecture, and tyre players can’t afford to sit on the sidelines. Fleet usage patterns will change dramatically in autonomous-vehicle economies, with higher mileage, shorter downtime, and perhaps different tyre-compound needs as human driving variables disappear. Tyre makers in India and Asia-Pacific should begin anticipating this future: aligning product development, service networks, and data-integration strategies for fleets that don’t stop.
