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.
WeRide, Uber launch commercial Robotaxi in downtown Abu Dhabi
On February 12, WeRide and Uber officially launched the first commercial Robotaxi service in downtown Abu Dhabi, marking the first deployment of autonomous vehicles in the city center.
The newly expanded service operates across Khalifa City, Masdar City, Rabdan, and routes between Corniche Road and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, in partnership with the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), connecting major landmarks and popular hotels. With this expansion, the Robotaxi network now covers approximately 70% of Abu Dhabi’s core urban areas.
Passengers can book WeRide’s Robotaxi GXR via Uber Comfort or Uber X, or directly select the dedicated “Autonomous” category in the Uber app. The service has officially entered public commercial operation. At the current stage, each vehicle is equipped with a safety operator, with plans to gradually transition to fully driverless operations.
WeRide has deployed more than 200 Robotaxis across the Middle East to date. According to a cooperation plan announced in early February 2026, WeRide and Uber aim to deploy at least 1,200 Robotaxis in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Riyadh as early as 2027.
VOYAH completes pre-IPO regulatory approval for Hong Kong listing
On February 12, 2026, VOYAH, Dongfeng Motor's premium new energy vehicle brand, received in-principle approval from the Hong Kong Stock Exchange for its listing, completing all pre-listing regulatory procedures. The process took approximately six months from the launch of its restructuring plan in August 2025 to the completion of regulatory clearance.
Unlike the typical IPO route taken by many EV startups, VOYAH is pursuing a listing through a “listing by introduction + privatization” structure. With regulatory approvals secured, the transaction has entered its final execution phase.
In parallel with its capital market progress, VOYAH reported full-year 2025 deliveries of 150,200 vehicles, up 87% year-on-year, though still below its annual sales target of 200,000 units.
China's auto sales reach 2.346 million units in January, exports up 44.9% YoY
According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), China's auto industry maintained overall stable operations in January 2026. Monthly production and sales reached 2.45 million and 2.346 million units, respectively. Production rose 0.01% year-on-year, while sales declined 3.2%.
CAAM attributed the market slowdown to three main factors: the transition in new energy vehicle purchase tax incentives, a temporary gap in local subsidy policies in major cities, and demand that had been brought forward into the fourth quarter of 2025.
Passenger vehicle production and sales declined both month-on-month and year-on-year, while the new energy vehicle market remained stable. Auto exports continued to be a bright spot. In January, China’s auto exports totaled 681,000 units, down 9.5% month-on-month but up 44.9% year-on-year. NEV exports reached 302,000 units, doubling year-on-year and rising 0.5% month-on-month.
Overall, January’s performance reflected typical seasonal softness and policy adjustments, setting a stable tone for the 2026 auto market.
