据CPUC称，文远知行目前在加州运营着12辆自动驾驶车辆，将主要在圣何塞及附近进行测试。该公司在2021年首次获得加州的许可，可以在没有乘客的情况下测试其车辆。①Chinese self-driving startup WeRide has obtained approval from the California regulatory agency, enabling it to conduct passenger-carrying tests of its self-driving autos locally; ②Reportedly, WeRide is seeking its first public offering (IPO) in the USA, with an expected valuation of 5.02 billion dollars.
Caixin Media August 14 (Editor Xia Junxiong) Chinese self-driving startup WeRide has obtained approval from the California regulatory agency, enabling it to conduct passenger-carrying tests of its self-driving autos locally.
California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued a three-year permit at the beginning of this month, allowing WeRide to use test vehicles to transport passengers, with or without a driver present. However, WeRide is not allowed to provide passenger services to the public or charge any fees.
According to CPUC, WeRide currently operates 12 self-driving vehicles in California, mainly for testing in San Jose and nearby areas. The company obtained its first permit from California in 2021 to test its vehicles without passengers.
In the USA, the commercialization of self-driving cars faces many challenges, including regulatory obstacles, opposition from local authorities, and public concerns.
California is the main base for road testing of self-driving cars in the USA, where well-known companies from China, USA, Europe, and Japan are actively deploying their operations.
Data released in February this year shows that completely self-driving vehicles traveled nearly 3.3 million miles (about 5.31 million kilometers) in California last year, more than five times the previous year. General Motors' Cruise and Alphabet's Waymo accounted for the majority of the self-driving miles recorded, with 63% and 36% respectively.
Waymo owns about 700 vehicles and is the only company in the USA operating self-driving taxis and charging fees.
Promoting the IPO in the USA.
Momenta was established in 2017, headquartered in Guangzhou, China. According to the company's official website, Momenta conducts self-driving R&D, testing, and operation in 30 cities across 7 countries globally. In addition to China and the USA, Momenta also has self-driving licenses in the UAE and Singapore.
Momenta's business also involves self-driving trucks, public buses, and street cleaning vehicles.
According to media reports, Momenta's initial public offering (IPO) application has been submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of the USA, planning to list on the NASDAQ with the stock code 'WRD'.
The prospectus shows that Momenta plans to issue 6.45 million American Depositary Shares (ADS) with an issue price between $15.50-18.50 per ADS, aiming to raise a net amount of approximately $96 million, which will value the company at $5.02 billion.
