Nissan sets up a new entity in China, focusing on robotaxi services - PingWest

Nissan sets up a new entity in China, focusing on robotaxi services

Nissan sets up a new entity in China, focusing on robotaxi services

17 hours ago

Nissan announced on Sunday at the ongoing China International Import Expo (CIIE) that it has established a mobility services company in China.

Headquartered in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province, the new entity will be investing in mobility services and deploying robotaxi services.

The investment shows the Japanese carmaker's commitment to China, the world's largest automobile market. "Introducing future technology, mobility solutions and products that enrich the lives of customers in China are an important part of Nissan's long-term strategy in China," said Shohei Yamazaki, senior vice president of Nissan.

Nissan entered the Chinese market in 1972 and has grown rapidly in China since the 1990s. In 2021, the automaker sold 1.38 million vehicles in China, including imported cars, passenger cars and light commercial vehicles.

The mobility services plan to kick off a demonstration operation of an intelligent connected robotaxis near Suzhou North Railway Station in 2023.  In addition to train stations, the service, known as e23, will cover other major sites in the area, including hotels, office buildings, shopping centers, residential areas, and Nissan dealerships.

WeRide, a Chinese startup that develops Level 4 autonomous driving technologies, will provide technology support to the Suzhou robotaxi project. Zhang Li, COO of WeRide Zhixing, said that the company will extensively participate in and fully support the R&D, testing and operation of Nissan's robotaxi fleet, especially in terms of autonomous driving technology.

It is worth noting that WeRide has been cooperating with Nissan for several years. In 2019, the Chinese startup launched its first public Robotaxi commercial service in China with vehicles provided by Nissan Motor. In June last year, WeRide raised $310 million in financing from the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance and the China Structural Reform Fund at a valuation of $3.3 billion.

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