Grab Holdings Makes Strategic Investment in WeRide to Enhance Autonomous Vehicle Services in Southeast Asia

Grab Holdings Limited (GRAB) has announced a strategic equity investment in WeRide to expedite the commercialization and deployment of Level 4 Robotaxis and shuttles in Southeast Asia. The investment marks a shared vision to integrate WeRide's autonomous vehicles into GRAB's network to boost service and safety levels. The deal is expected to be completed by H1 2026.

Grab Holdings Limited (GRAB) has announced a strategic equity investment in WeRide to expedite the commercialization and deployment of Level 4 Robotaxis and shuttles in Southeast Asia. The investment marks a shared vision to integrate WeRide's autonomous vehicles into GRAB's network to boost service and safety levels. The deal is expected to be completed by H1 2026 [1].

The partnership aims to enhance operational efficiency and scalability by integrating WeRide's autonomous driving technology into GRAB's fleet management, vehicle matching, and routing ecosystem. This collaboration will also focus on training and upskilling initiatives, transitioning Grab driver-partners and local communities to high-value career pathways within the AV sector [2].

WeRide's CEO, Dr. Tony Han, stated, "WeRide’s vision for Southeast Asia is to deploy thousands of robotaxis across the region, through a progressive rollout aligned with local regulations and societal readiness. Grab, our newest partner and investor, is a household name in Southeast Asia with unmatched regional expertise and scale in ride-hailing and digital services. Together, we will combine WeRide’s advanced AV technology and operational know-how with Grab’s strengths to accelerate safe, efficient robotaxi services, enter new markets, and reinforce our first-mover leadership in shaping the future of mobility" [1].

Grab’s CEO, Anthony Tan, added, "We want everyone in Southeast Asia to have access to reliable transportation whenever they need it. However, manpower constraints remain a challenge. We believe AVs can complement our driver network and be deployed in cities with significant driver shortages. We look forward to working with WeRide to extensively test their vehicles across diverse Southeast Asian environments" [1].

The collaboration will also involve optimizing dispatch and routing, developing maintenance protocols, measuring safety performance, and establishing remote monitoring and teleoperations. These efforts will help ensure a seamless transition to AV services and create new employment opportunities in the AV sector [2].

In related news, WeRide has received approval to conduct late-night testing of its robotaxi service within the Beijing High-Level Autonomous Driving Demonstration Zone [1].

References:
[1] https://www.autonomousvehicleinternational.com/news/robotaxis/grab-invests-in-weride-to-advance-robotaxi-and-shuttle-deployment-in-southeast-asia.html
[2] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/grab-invests-weride-deploy-robotaxis-173032376.html