WeRide, Geely Farizon, and Kwoon Chung Bus Holdings have agreed to jointly develop a purpose-built right-hand-drive robotaxi built on WeRide’s production-ready GXR platform, with commercial service set to begin first in Hong Kong. The three-way agreement, signed this week at the 2026 International Automotive & Supply Chain Expo in Hong Kong, pairs WeRide’s autonomous driving technology with Geely Farizon’s commercial-vehicle manufacturing and Kwoon Chung’s public-transport operations. According to the partners, there are currently no right-hand-drive robotaxis on the market, making the vehicle a ground-up design rather than a converted left-hand-drive model.
Highlights
- Joint development of a purpose-built right-hand-drive robotaxi based on the existing Robotaxi GXR platform, with first commercial deployment in Hong Kong.
- Named export targets include Singapore, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Australia.
- WeRide plans to expand its global robotaxi fleet to 2,600 vehicles by the end of 2026 and to tens of thousands by 2030.
- The Robotaxi GXR currently runs fully driverless commercial operations in four cities: Guangzhou, Beijing, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai.
A Ground-Up Right-Hand-Drive Design
Rather than adapting a left-hand-drive vehicle, the new model draws on the Robotaxi GXR’s validated mass-production base to undergo full original development across vehicle layout, autonomous driving software, and human-machine interface design. The companies say the design is tailored to the traffic rules, road conditions, and operational requirements of right-hand-drive territories, with the perception, decision-making, control, and interface systems integrated for the rider experience.
Dr. Tony Han, Founder and CEO of WeRide, said: “Globalization has always been central to WeRide’s strategy with our autonomous vehicles having been deployed in over 40 cities across 12 countries. We are proud to partner with Geely Farizon and Kwoon Chung Bus Holdings Limited on this collaboration. It represents an important breakthrough for autonomous driving in dense, complex urban environments worldwide and will help unlock broader opportunities in global right-hand-drive markets.”
Hong Kong as the Launch Market
The deployment builds on groundwork already laid in the city. Kwoon Chung Smart Mobility, a subsidiary of Kwoon Chung Bus Holdings, has previously operated left-hand-drive Robotaxi GXR units in Hong Kong and secured a pilot autonomous driving license, with on-road trials underway on public roads across the city. The three companies say they will use that foundation to accelerate product validation, testing, and initial commercial operations, citing Hong Kong’s international transport environment and regulatory framework. The launch aligns with priorities in China’s 15th Five-Year Plan around intelligent connected new energy vehicles, and the partners expect the rollout to serve as a template for entering other right-hand-drive markets including Singapore, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Australia.
Mike Fan, CEO of Geely Farizon New Energy Commercial Vehicle Group, said: “The development of this new model reflects our deep exploration of the future of urban mobility. This collaboration establishes a complete, end-to-end commercial ecosystem spanning technology development, vehicle manufacturing, and operational deployment. We believe that, with Hong Kong as a strategic gateway, the ‘Hong Kong pathway’ will set a benchmark for smart transportation upgrades in right-hand-drive markets globally.”
Matthew Wong, Chairman of Kwoon Chung Bus Holdings, said: “Kwoon Chung has witnessed and contributed to the evolution of transportation in Hong Kong. Faced with soaring oil prices and a shortage of bus drivers, we have proactively adopted intelligent and eco-friendly technologies and embrace industry transformation. Through close collaboration, we aim to deliver a safer, more efficient, and more sustainable public mobility experience, further strengthening Hong Kong’s position as a global smart city.”
Building on the WeRide–Geely Farizon Partnership
The agreement extends a working relationship between the two companies. In October 2024, they jointly launched the mass-produced Robotaxi GXR based on the Farizon SV, which reached fully driverless commercial operations in Beijing within four months, followed by Guangzhou in August 2025. Earlier this year, the two signed an upgraded agreement covering an enhanced version of the purpose-built GXR.
Founded in 2017, WeRide operates in markets including Guangzhou, Beijing, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Riyadh, and Zurich, and holds autonomous driving permits in eight markets. Adding right-hand-drive production gives the company dual capability across both right- and left-hand-drive systems as it works toward a fleet of 2,600 robotaxis by the end of 2026 and tens of thousands by 2030.
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