China’s GAC, DiDi Partner To Mass Produce SUV Robotaxis

DiDi Autonomous Driving, China's self-driving technology arm, has announced that Andi Technology Co., Ltd., a joint venture with GAC Aion New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd., will begin mass production of fully self-driving electric robotaxis in 2025.

The joint venture will launch its first model, a crossover electric SUV based on GAC Aion's latest high-end pure electric AEP 3.0 platform and the X-soul electrical and electronic architecture.

The model will also include the safety redundancy system, the newest Robotaxis in-cabin entertainment systems, and the technological solutions for DiDi Autonomous Driving.

The first batch of SUVs will work flawlessly with Huiju Port, DiDi's automated operation and maintenance center. When the model is finished, it should be incorporated for large-scale mixed dispatching into DiDi's shared mobility network.

Meng Xing, COO of DiDi Autonomous Driving, says: "The establishment of the joint venture represents a significant step forward in the successful rollout of the first mass-produced vehicle, marking a new phase of productization in the autonomous driving industrr. DiDi is committed to closely collaborating with GAC Aion to accelerate the large-scale commercial deployment of autonomous driving,"

For the record, DiDi Autonomous Driving and GAC Aion signed a joint venture agreement in May 2023 to establish a joint venture for the mass production of electric Robotaxis.