Geely Farizon, WeRide, and Kwoon Chung Launch Right-Hand Drive Robotaxi in Hong Kong, Accelerating Global Expansion
Geely Farizon New Energy Commercial Vehicle Group, a leading Chinese new energy commercial vehicle brand, has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with WeRide, a global leader in autonomous driving technology, and Kwoon Chung Bus Holdings Limited, a prominent public transport operator in Hong Kong, at the 2026 International Automotive & Supply Chain Expo in Hong Kong. Through this collaboration, the three parties will develop a mass-produced robotaxi for the right-hand drive market using the factory-built GXR platform. The product development combines the strengths of each partner in new energy vehicle manufacturing, autonomous driving technology innovation, and public transport management. Hong Kong will become the first region to operate a commercial right-hand drive robotaxi service, opening a new chapter for the industry as it becomes increasingly ready for global deployment and providing autonomous mobility solutions for countries that use right-hand drive vehicles.
Kwoon Chung Smart Mobility, a subsidiary of Kwoon Chung Bus Holdings, has previously operated several left-hand drive GXR robotaxi units in Hong Kong and obtained permits for autonomous vehicle testing. These tests are currently underway on public roads across various districts of Hong Kong. Building on this experience, the three companies will advance product development, on-road validation, and operational testing specifically designed for the right-hand drive market. As right-hand drive robotaxis are not yet available globally, this new model will be the first robotaxi designed from the ground up to meet right-hand drive operational standards. Its development involves a complete redesign, from vehicle layout and autonomous driving system software to the human-machine interface, rather than simply modifying the left-hand drive GXR version. All development considers traffic regulations, road conditions, and operational requirements in right-hand drive countries. Enhancements to the perception, decision-making, and chassis control systems are also expected to deliver a safer, more comfortable, and intuitive passenger experience.
Hong Kong was selected as one of the first markets for the deployment of right-hand drive robotaxis due to its internationally benchmarked transport system and strong regulatory support. The three companies will accelerate product validation, testing, and the initial phase of commercial operations to establish a business model that can be widely applied and replicated in other countries. This model will subsequently be expanded to other key right-hand drive markets, including Singapore, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Australia. The operational experience gained in Hong Kong will therefore serve as a crucial foundation to support global expansion. This collaboration strengthens the existing partnership between Geely Farizon and WeRide in the development and commercialisation of mass-produced robotaxis. In October 2024, the two companies launched the GXR robotaxi designed on the Farizon SV platform. The vehicle began fully driverless commercial operations in Beijing just four months after its launch, later expanding to Guangzhou in August 2025. In March 2026, Geely Farizon and WeRide signed a further strategic cooperation agreement to launch a new version of the mass-produced GXR robotaxi equipped with an autonomous driving system integrated from the manufacturing stage.