Pony AI Leads China’s Robotaxi Expansion as Waymo Dominates U.S. Market

Autonomous vehicle competition is heating up globally, with stark contrasts between U.S. and Chinese adoption strategies. Waymo, Alphabet's self-driving unit, now operates 1,500 robotaxis across four American cities, completing 250,000 weekly paid rides. Tesla remains a minor player with its recent Austin launch.

China's robotaxi fleet currently numbers around 2,000 vehicles but could explode to 300,000 by 2030 according to Barclays projections. Pony AI has emerged as the clear domestic leader, being the only approved fee-charging operator in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. Bank of America analysts highlight Pony's 15 daily rides per vehicle as evidence of operational maturity, assigning a $21 price target that suggests 60% upside potential.

Regulatory momentum favors Chinese operators, with Beijing permitting paid rides since 2021 and Shanghai joining in July 2025. This contrasts with the more gradual U.S. approval process, though Waymo's scale demonstrates American technological leadership in actual deployment.