CaoCao Mobility, backed by Geely, has expanded its robotaxi fleet to 100 vehicles, intensifying China’s race toward scaled autonomous ride-hailing.
Chinese mobility platform CaoCao Mobility, backed by automaker Geely, has expanded its autonomous robotaxi fleet to 100 vehicles, marking a significant milestone in its commercialization roadmap.
The move positions CaoCao among a growing group of Chinese players pushing toward scaled driverless deployment in major urban markets.
Scaling beyond pilot mode
While autonomous vehicle trials have been ongoing for years, fleet expansion beyond small pilots is often viewed as the true test of operational readiness. A 100-vehicle deployment suggests:
- Improved vehicle hardware reliability
- More mature perception and mapping systems
- Regulatory confidence in designated zones
China has been accelerating permits for autonomous driving tests and limited commercial operations, particularly in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen.
Vertical integration advantage
Unlike many ride-hailing firms that rely on third-party vehicle partners, CaoCao benefits from Geely’s manufacturing ecosystem.
This backing provides:
- Direct access to EV platforms
- Hardware-software integration capabilities
- Supply chain stability
The tight integration between automaker and mobility platform mirrors similar strategies pursued by competitors in the U.S. and China.
Competitive landscape
China’s robotaxi market has become increasingly crowded, with tech giants and automakers investing heavily in autonomous stacks.
Companies such as Baidu and Pony.ai are also expanding commercial trials, while global players like Waymo continue scaling operations abroad.
The key differentiator will likely hinge on:
- Safety performance
- Unit economics
- Regulatory alignment
- Consumer trust
Economics remain under scrutiny
Even as fleet sizes grow, profitability in robotaxi operations remains an open question. Hardware costs, safety redundancies, and fleet supervision still add operational overhead.
However, China’s dense urban infrastructure and centralized policy support provide a potentially favorable environment for large-scale AV deployment.
CaoCao’s expansion signals that robotaxis are moving steadily from demonstration to scaled experimentation — and perhaps closer to viable commercialization.
