SAIC Mobility announced at the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference the launch of a purpose-built Robotaxi mass-production program, with the new vehicle scheduled to debut in 2027. This will be Shanghai's first mass-produced Robotaxi with factory-integrated high-level autonomous driving, marking SAIC's formal transition from "post-production retrofit" to "native design."
Project Core: Shanghai's First Native Mass-Production Robotaxi
At the "Digital Intelligence Driving Model Speed Intelligent Travel" High-Level Autonomous Driving Innovation and Development Forum during the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), SAIC Mobility (Xiangdao Chuxing) officially announced the launch of its Robotaxi mass-production customized vehicle project.
Key information about the project:
- Debut Timeline: Official launch scheduled for 2027
- Product Positioning: Shanghai's first mass-produced Robotaxi with factory-integrated high-level autonomous driving system
- Development Model: Unlike previous approaches of retrofitting existing passenger models after production, this vehicle is designed from the outset for commercial autonomous ride-hailing
- Three-Party Division: SAIC Motor handles vehicle engineering and manufacturing, an autonomous driving technology supplier provides the driving system, and SAIC Mobility defines the product and operates the fleet
The core logic of this arrangement is to integrate vehicle development, autonomous driving technology, and commercial operations within a single program framework—addressing the long-standing industry problem of disconnect between "vehicle-tech-operation."
From Retrofit to Native: Why This Step Is Critical
The development trajectory of SAIC Xiangdao Robotaxi serves as a mirror for China's autonomous driving commercialization.
Phase One (2021): The Xiangdao Robotaxi platform officially launched, becoming China's first automaker-led L4 autonomous driving ride-hailing platform, with an initial deployment of 20 operational vehicles in Shanghai's Jiading district, using the Feifan MARVEL R model.
Phase Two (2022-2025): Transition from post-production retrofit to factory-integrated production. At the end of 2022, vehicles equipped with Xiangdao's self-developed high-level autonomous driving 2.0 technology began operations in Shanghai Lingang; in May 2025, Xiangdao partnered with Momenta to deploy factory-integrated production vehicles with Momenta L4 technology in Shanghai Pudong.
Phase Three (2026-2027): The native design era begins. The 2027 production model will completely break away from the path dependency of "retrofitting existing models," with cabin layout, onboard functions, and engineering architecture all designed around driverless ride-hailing scenarios.
| Phase | Timeline | Core Characteristics | Representative Model/Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| Post-Production Retrofit | 2021-2022 | Adding autonomous driving kits to existing models after production | Feifan MARVEL R |
| Factory-Integrated Transition | 2022-2025 | Factory pre-installation of sensors and computing platforms | Xiangdao 2.0 / Momenta partnership |
| Native Design | 2026-2027 | Custom-designed for Robotaxi scenarios from the ground up | 2027 Mass-Production Custom Vehicle |
The commercial value of native design lies in:
- Cabin Optimization: With the driver's seat eliminated, interior space can be reconfigured for "face-to-face" social modes or luggage-priority layouts
- Maintenance Cost Reduction: Standardized hardware, sensor integration, and maintenance procedures significantly reduce per-vehicle total cost of ownership
- Fleet Management: A unified vehicle platform enables more efficient dispatch algorithms, energy management, and remote monitoring
- Safety Redundancy: Architecturally reserving redundancy space for autonomous driving systems rather than "patching" existing models
Operational Foundation: 350,000 Rides and 4 Million Kilometers of Data
SAIC Xiangdao Robotaxi's commercial exploration is not theoretical. As of May 2026, the platform has accumulated substantial operational data:
- Cumulative Service Orders: Exceeding 350,000
- Safe Operation Mileage: Exceeding 4 million kilometers
- Open Service Points: Nearly 50,000
- Operating Cities: Shanghai (Jiading, Lingang, resort zone special line), Suzhou, Shenzhen
This data accumulation will directly inform the design of the 2027 production model, particularly in cabin usage scenarios, vehicle durability, maintenance requirements, and fleet efficiency.
Key operational milestones of Xiangdao Robotaxi:
- December 2021: Platform officially launched, first operations in Jiading
- 2023: Obtained one of Shanghai's first permits for intelligent connected taxi demonstration operations
- May 2025: Partnered with Momenta to deploy L4 fleet in Shanghai Pudong
- August 2025: Launched L4 special line connecting Shanghai International Tourism Resort to Pudong Airport, becoming Shanghai's first autonomous driving demonstration project covering both expressways and urban roads
- July 2026: Robotaxi mass-production customized vehicle project launched
Notably, Xiangdao Chuxing—the operating entity of Xiangdao Robotaxi—resubmitted its IPO application to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in May 2026. Its prospectus further clarified the strategic positioning of its Robotaxi business: the platform focuses on R&D and iteration of intelligent dispatch systems and safety monitoring, while partners lead autonomous driving technology development and vehicle mass production.
Industry Landscape: Robotaxi Enters "Production Determines Victory" Phase
The launch of SAIC Xiangdao's Robotaxi mass-production project comes at a critical juncture in the global Robotaxi race.
2026 is widely regarded by the industry as the pivotal year for Robotaxi to transition from "demonstration operations" to "scaled commercialization." In the Chinese market, in addition to Xiangdao, platforms including Baidu's Apollo Go, Pony.ai, and WeRide are all advancing unmanned operations in different cities. SAIC's unique advantage lies in its "automaker + mobility platform + autonomous driving supplier" three-party synergy model—this approach integrates vehicle manufacturing experience, ride-hailing operational data, and autonomous driving algorithm capabilities within a single ecosystem, potentially forming a closed-loop advantage that competitors will struggle to replicate.
For overseas observers, the pace of China's Robotaxi industry is noteworthy. SAIC Xiangdao has completed a full industrial iteration in just six years—from launching operations in 2021 to planning native mass-production vehicles by 2027. Behind this speed is the comprehensive self-sufficiency of China's autonomous driving supply chain, from chips and sensors to algorithms and cloud platforms.
For mobility service investors in emerging markets like Central Asia and Russia, China's Robotaxi business models and operational data provide valuable reference samples. As technology matures and costs decline, the export of autonomous driving mobility services to overseas markets may only be a matter of time. For more intelligent driving industry updates, visit EX1000.COM.
