Chinese autonomous vehicle company WeRide has recently made significant strides in California, USA, by obtaining a permit for testing driverless cars. This breakthrough comes from two permits issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC): one for manned and one for unmanned driving. This means WeRide can conduct passenger-carrying tests on public roads, but it cannot currently charge for services or open them to the public.
According to a CPUC spokesperson, WeRide is allowed to test in and around San Jose, with 12 active vehicles currently. It is noteworthy that WeRide had already obtained a permit from the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in 2021 to test unmanned autonomous vehicles on public roads.
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However, WeRide's development in California seems to be progressing slowly. DMV data shows that in 2023, the company's autonomous driving mileage in California was only 42,391 miles, far less than competitor Waymo's over 9 million miles. WeRide has also disclosed little about its commercialization plans in California.
At the same time, WeRide is preparing for an IPO in the US with a valuation of nearly $5 billion. This news contrasts sharply with reports that the US Department of Commerce might ban Chinese connected cars (including autonomous vehicles) for national security reasons, highlighting the complex environment Chinese tech companies face in the US market.
WeRide's CPUC permit includes a special stipulation: "limited to vehicles with a passenger capacity of fewer than 16 people, including the driver." This stipulation does not exist in the permits of competitors like Waymo, Cruise, or Zoox, and may be related to WeRide's diverse product lines. In addition to autonomous taxis, the company also develops autonomous buses that can accommodate 10 passengers.
WeRide's expansion in the US market presents both opportunities and challenges. On one hand, obtaining testing permits in California paves the way for its technology validation and commercialization; on the other hand, geopolitical factors and the uncertain regulatory environment may affect its long-term development. How to steadily advance its business in this complex environment will be a significant challenge for WeRide.