French Ambassador to China Visits WeRide and Experiences Autonomous Driving Solutions
WeRide (Nasdaq: WRD), a global autonomous driving technology leader, hosted French Ambassador to China Bertrand Lortholary and delegation at their facilities. The visitors experienced WeRide's Robotaxi and Robobus technologies in rainy conditions and discussed the company's European expansion plans.
WeRide highlighted several achievements in France, including providing L4 autonomous Robobus service at Roland Garros, receiving France's L4 driverless public road testing permit, and launching Europe's first fully driverless commercial Robobus deployment in Drôme. The company is collaborating with Renault Group to develop a mass-produced autonomous Robobus by 2030.
WeRide (Nasdaq: WRD), leader globale della tecnologia per la guida autonoma, ha accolto l'Ambasciatore francese in Cina Bertrand Lortholary e una delegazione nelle proprie strutture. I visitatori hanno sperimentato le tecnologie Robotaxi e Robobus di WeRide in condizioni di pioggia e hanno discusso i piani di espansione europea dell'azienda.
WeRide ha evidenziato diverse realizzazioni in Francia, tra cui fornire il servizio Robobus autonomo di livello L4 a Roland Garros, ottenere il permesso per test pubblici su strada senza conducente di livello L4, e lanciare la prima implementazione commerciale di Robobus completamente senza conducente in Europa a Drôme. L'azienda sta collaborando con Renault Group per sviluppare un Robobus autonomo a produzione di massa entro il 2030.
WeRide (Nasdaq: WRD), líder global en tecnología de conducción autónoma, recibió al embajador de Francia en China, Bertrand Lortholary, y a una delegación en sus instalaciones. Los visitantes probaron las tecnologías Robotaxi y Robobus de WeRide bajo condiciones de lluvia y discutieron los planes de expansión europea de la empresa.
WeRide destacó varios logros en Francia, entre ellos brindar el servicio Robobus autónomo de nivel L4 en Roland Garros, obtener el permiso de pruebas públicas en carretera sin conductor de nivel L4, y lanzar la primera implementación comercial de Robobus totalmente sin conductor en Europa en Drôme. La empresa está colaborando con el Renault Group para desarrollar un Robobus autónomo de producción en masa para 2030.
WeRide (Nasdaq: WRD), 글로벌 자율주행 기술의 선두주자, 프랑스 대사관의 Bertrand Lortholary 대사 및 수행단을 자사 시설에서 맞이했습니다. 방문객들은 로보택시와 로보버스 기술을 비 오는 날씨에도 체험했고, 회사의 유럽 확장 계획에 대해 논의했습니다.
WeRide는 프랑스에서의 다수 성과를 강조했으며, 롤랑 가로스에서의 4단계 자율 로보버스 서비스, 4단계 무운전자 공공 도로 주행 테스트 허가를 받았으며, Drôme에서 유럽 최초의 완전 무운전자 상용 로보버스 배치를 시작했다고 밝혔습니다. 또한 회사는 2030년까지 대량 생산형 자율 로보버스를 개발하기 위해 르노 그룹과 협력하고 있습니다.
WeRide (NYSE: WRD), leader mondial de la technologie de conduite autonome, a accueilli l'Ambassadeur de France en Chine, Bertrand Lortholary, et une délégation dans ses installations. Les visiteurs ont expérimenté les technologies Robotaxi et Robobus de WeRide par temps de pluie et ont discuté des plans d'expansion européenne de l'entreprise.
WeRide a mis en avant plusieurs réalisations en France, notamment la fourniture d'un service Robobus autonome de niveau L4 à Roland Garros, l'obtention du permis de tests routiers publics sans conducteur de niveau L4, et le lancement du premier déploiement commercial européen de Robobus entièrement sans conducteur à Drôme. L'entreprise collabore avec le Groupe Renault pour développer un Robobus autonome de production de masse d'ici 2030.
WeRide (Nasdaq: WRD), globaler Marktführer in der Technologie für autonomes Fahren, hat den französischen Botschafter in China, Bertrand Lortholary, und eine Delegation in seinen Anlagen empfangen. Die Besucher erlebten die Robotaxi- und Robobus-Technologien von WeRide bei regnerischem Wetter und diskutierten über die europäischen Expansionspläne des Unternehmens.
WeRide hob mehrere Erfolge in Frankreich hervor, darunter die Bereitstellung des L4-autonomen Robobus-Dienstes am Roland Garros, den Erhalt des Permits für öffentliche Straßen-Tests ohne Fahrer der Stufe L4, und die Einführung der ersten vollständig fahrerlosen kommerziellen Robobus-Einführung in Europa in Drôme. Das Unternehmen arbeitet mit der Renault Group zusammen, um bis 2030 einen massenproduzierten autonomen Robobus zu entwickeln.
WeRide (بورصة ناسداك: WRD)، رائد عالمي في تكنولوجيا القيادة الذاتية، استضافت السفير الفرنسي لدى الصين بيرتراند لورطورالي وفريقه في منشآتها. قام الزوار بتجربة تقنيات Robotaxi و Robobus من WeRide في ظروف مطرية وتباحثوا في خطط التوسع الأوروبي للشركة.
أبرزت WeRide عدة إنجازات في فرنسا، بما في ذلك توفير خدمة Robobus ذات المستوى L4 autonome في رولان غاروس، والحصول على تصريح اختبارات الطرق العامة بدون سائق من المستوى L4، وإطلاق أول نشر تجاري Robobus بدون سائق بالكامل في أوروبا في دروم. تتعاون الشركة مع Renault Group لتطوير Robobus autonomous ذو إنتاجية جماعية بحلول 2030.
WeRide (纳斯达克：WRD)，全球自动驾驶技术领导者，在其设施欢迎了驻中国法国大使贝特朗·洛托拉里及其代表团。访客在雨天体验了WeRide的Robotaxi和Robobus技术，并就公司在欧洲的扩张计划进行了讨论。
WeRide在法国取得了若干成就，包括在Roland Garros提供4级自动驾驶Robobus服务、获得无驾驶员公共道路测试许可（4级），以及在Drôme推出欧洲首个完全无驾驶员的商用Robobus部署。公司还与雷诺集团合作，计划到2030年开发大规模量产的自动驾驶Robobus。
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Insights
French Ambassador's visit to WeRide highlights the company's successful European expansion and strategic partnership with Renault for autonomous vehicle commercialization.
The French Ambassador's visit to WeRide signals more than a diplomatic courtesy - it represents validation of WeRide's international expansion strategy and growing presence in the European autonomous vehicle market. The company has achieved three significant European milestones in rapid succession: providing L4 autonomous shuttle services at Roland Garros, securing France's coveted L4 driverless public road testing permit, and launching Europe's first fully driverless commercial Robobus deployment in Drôme.
What makes these achievements particularly noteworthy is that WeRide has successfully navigated Europe's stringent regulatory environment for autonomous vehicles, which has historically presented barriers to entry for non-European companies. The partnership with Renault Group to develop a mass-produced autonomous Robobus by 2030 represents a strategic coup that offers WeRide both manufacturing scale and established distribution channels across Europe.
The focus on public transport applications is strategically sound given Europe's commitment to sustainable urban mobility solutions and the region's dense urban centers. By targeting public transport rather than personal vehicles initially, WeRide can operate in more controlled environments while building public trust and regulatory goodwill - critical factors for autonomous technology adoption.
This European expansion diversifies WeRide's market presence beyond its Chinese home base, potentially insulating it from regional regulatory shifts while accessing Europe's premium transportation market with higher potential service margins.
GUANGZHOU, China, Sept. 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- French Ambassador to China, Mr. Bertrand Lortholary, led a delegation to visit WeRide (Nasdaq: WRD), a global leader in autonomous driving technology, earlier this week, to learn more about the company's operations and future plans in France.
The delegation included Mr. Christian Gianella, Minister Counsellor for Economic Affairs at the French Embassy, and Mr. Laurent Legodec, Consul General of France in Guangzhou. They were welcomed by WeRide's Founder and CEO Dr. Tony Han and other company representatives.
During the visit, the delegation experienced WeRide's autonomous Robotaxi and Robobus, observing their smooth performance and safety despite rainy conditions.
A roundtable discussion followed, where WeRide presented its company journey, flagship products, and international deployments, with particular attention to its operations in France and wider European expansion.
Recent milestones include:
- 2024–2025: Providing an exclusive Level 4 (L4) autonomous Robobus shuttle service at Roland Garros, Paris, for two consecutive years.
- 27 March 2025: Receiving France's L4 driverless public road testing and operating permit for its Robobus, in partnership with French autonomous mobility operator beti.
- 27 February 2025: Launching Europe's first fully driverless commercial deployment of its Robobus in Drôme, France, with beti, Renault Group, and Macif.
Currently, WeRide is partnering with Renault Group to launch a new mass-produced autonomous Robobus by 2030, meeting Europe's growing demand for green public transport.
The visit concluded with Dr. Han presenting Ambassador Lortholary a model of WeRide's Robobus as a token of appreciation.
Looking ahead, WeRide intends to continue developing its activities in France, strengthen local partnerships, and contribute autonomous driving solutions that support safer and more sustainable mobility in Europe.
About WeRide
WeRide is a global leader and a first mover in the autonomous driving industry, as well as the first publicly traded Robotaxi company. Our autonomous vehicles have been tested or operated in over 30 cities across 11 countries. We are also the first and only technology company whose products have received autonomous driving permits in six markets: China, Singapore, France, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the US. Empowered by the smart, versatile, cost-effective, and highly adaptable WeRide One platform, WeRide provides autonomous driving products and services from L2 to L4, addressing transportation needs in the mobility, logistics, and sanitation industries. WeRide was named in Fortune Magazine’s 2024 “The Future 50” list.
Media Contact
pr@weride.ai
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking” statements pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “aims,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “likely to,” and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about WeRide’s beliefs, plans, and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in WeRide’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this Report is as of the date of this Report. WeRide does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7fcf8190-9f48-455e-9a11-08b60c8a1ccf
FAQ
What major milestones has WeRide (WRD) achieved in France during 2024-2025?
What is WeRide's (WRD) partnership with Renault Group?
When did WeRide (WRD) receive its L4 driverless public road testing permit in France?
Where is WeRide's (WRD) first fully driverless commercial Robobus operating in Europe?
