With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information.
DiDi Autonomous Driving partners with Abu Dhabi's ADIO to advance smart mobility in the Middle East
On November 12, DiDi Autonomous Driving announced a strategic partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO).
As part of the deal, DiDi has joined Abu Dhabi's Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries cluster, marking its first major step into the Middle East. The two sides will collaborate on advancing autonomous driving technologies, AI talent development, and ecosystem building. Together, they aim to accelerate Abu Dhabi's efforts to create a world-leading hub for smart mobility and sustainable transportation, with plans to gradually expand cooperation across the wider Middle East region.
The Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries cluster, led by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, serves as a regional hub for smart transportation across the Middle East and North Africa. It focuses on promoting innovation and commercialization of autonomous technologies across land, sea, and air mobility, as part of Abu Dhabi's broader smart city vision. According to the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, the initiative is expected to contribute AED 44 billion to Abu Dhabi's GDP and generate around 40,000 jobs by 2045.
DiDi Autonomous Driving focuses on advancing Level 4 autonomous technology through the application of cutting-edge artificial intelligence. Its next-generation autonomous vehicle is slated for delivery by the end of this year.
Dongfeng Nissan opens pre-sales for first plug-in hybrid sedan on Nov. 13
On November 13, Dongfeng Nissan opens pre-sales of the N6, the company's first plug-in hybrid sedan, signaling the brand's next step into China's increasingly competitive plug-in hybrid electric vehicle market.
The new model is expected to be priced between 120,000 yuan and 150,000 yuan, and is scheduled to hit the market later this quarter. The launch marks a pivotal move as the company expands its electrified lineup beyond battery electric vehicles and range-extended electric vehicles.
Positioned in the segment priced from 120,000 yuan to 150,000 yuan, the N6 will compete head-on with high-volume plug-in hybrid electric vehicles such as BYD Qin L DM-i and Geely Galaxy A7. As Nissan's most significant PHEV push to date, the model's reception during the pre-sale phase will likely shape the brand's broader strategy in China's fast-shifting new energy vehicle market.
WeRide, Grab secure approval to begin first autonomous mobility trials in Singapore
On November 13, Chinese autonomous-driving developer WeRide and Southeast Asia's super-app Grab said they had received formal approval from Singapore's Land Transport Authority (LTA) to conduct autonomous fleet trials in Punggol. The pilot will test vehicles under the jointly developed Ai.R (Autonomously Intelligent Ride) program, a key step toward deploying self-driving mobility services in the city-state.
The companies had already begun initial tests of WeRide's GXR robotaxi in Punggol in mid-October, marking Singapore's first trial of the vehicle. With the latest approval, WeRide and Grab intend to scale up the program significantly, aiming to quadruple the number of trial runs on designated feeder routes by the end of 2025.
The Ai.R initiative is designed as a public-facing autonomous mobility service operated jointly by the two companies. The fleet includes 11 WeRide vehicles — 10 GXR robotaxis with seating for five and a single Robobus shuttle that can carry up to eight passengers. The current trial period is intended to validate performance and safety ahead of commercial launch. Once operational, Ai.R will run on two dedicated feeder routes within Punggol, with the first public riders expected in early 2026. This would make Punggol the first residential district in Singapore to host an autonomous shuttle service.
During road trials, the vehicles collect and analyze real-world traffic data to train their AI driving models for Singapore's local environment.
