The CATL-Hellobike-Ant Group robotaxi joint venture is on track to push its first Level 4 autonomous vehicles into mass production in June 2026, marking one of China's most aggressive bids to commercialise driverless ride-hail before US incumbents Waymo and Tesla scale globally.
The Joint Venture
The mobility platform was formed last year with more than CN¥3 billion ($424M) in initial capital from CATL, Hellobike and Alibaba-affiliated Ant Group. Alibaba added a strategic injection in September. The trio has partnered with Dongfeng Nissan's Venucia brand to develop the first model on the VX6 platform, branded the HR1.
Roll-Out Map
Commercial operations are already running in Zhuzhou (Hunan) and Liyang, with testing under way in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Changzhou and Changsha. Hellobike unveiled the HR1 design last September; the JV now plans to deliver vehicles in small batches in March 2026 before flipping to mass production by mid-year.
The Race In China
China's robotaxi market is consolidating fast. Avride and Uber crossed 60,000 trips in Dallas, while Tesla just filed for a 5,000-vehicle Nevada permit. CATL's vertically integrated battery, chassis and JV play could give the Hellobike service a sharp cost advantage if June production targets hold.
Reporting based on coverage from Automotive World, CnEVPost, DealStreetAsia and S&P Global Mobility.