Grab Holdings Invests in WeRide Amid Robotaxi Partnership

WeRide will receive an equity investment from Grab Holdings as part of their robotaxi partnership. Grab Holdings operates a superapp in Southeast Asia, offering services in the deliveries, mobility, and digital financial services sectors. The investment will support the development of WeRide's robotaxi technology, expanding its reach and capabilities in the region.

WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD), a global leader in autonomous driving technology, has secured a strategic equity investment from Grab Holdings (NASDAQ: GRAB), Southeast Asia's leading superapp. The investment, expected to be completed by the first half of 2026, aims to accelerate the deployment and commercialization of Level 4 Robotaxis and autonomous shuttles across Southeast Asia.

The partnership between WeRide and Grab focuses on integrating WeRide's autonomous vehicles into Grab's network. This collaboration will address driver shortages in Southeast Asian cities while creating new career opportunities in the AV industry for Grab's driver-partners. Key aspects of the partnership include optimizing dispatch and routing, maximizing vehicle uptime, measuring safety performance, implementing remote monitoring, and developing comprehensive customer support systems.

The investment builds on a Memorandum of Understanding signed in March 2025, where WeRide and Grab committed to exploring the technical feasibility, commercial viability, and job creation potential of AVs in the region. The expanded partnership will establish a framework for deploying autonomous solutions across Grab’s network to enhance operational efficiency and scalability.

"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," said Dr. Tony Han, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of WeRide. "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."

"We want everyone in Southeast Asia to have access to reliable transportation whenever they need it," said Anthony Tan, Group Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Grab. "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. This will allow us to gain valuable insights into their real-world performance, adapt the technology to further enhance safety and reliability, and meet the region’s unique needs."

This strategic investment supports WeRide's growth strategy to expand its commercial AV fleet in Southeast Asia and advance AI-driven mobility. The partnership will also provide WeRide with access to Grab's extensive fleet management, vehicle matching, and routing ecosystem, enabling seamless integration and operational efficiency.

The investment comes as Grab Holdings reported second-quarter 2025 earnings, shifting to profitability with net income reaching US$35 million and sales rising to US$819 million. The company also completed a share repurchase program totaling 126 million shares for nearly US$500 million, signaling confidence in its financial position and future prospects.

References:

[1] https://www.stocktitan.net/news/WRD/we-ride-secures-strategic-equity-investment-from-grab-partners-to-zg54bhxy0zzz.html
[2] https://simplywall.st/stocks/us/transportation/nasdaq-grab/grab-holdings/news/is-grab-holdings-grab-return-to-profit-and-share-buybacks-sh