Geely's Caocao to Launch Thousands of Custom Robotaxis in 2027

Chinese automaker Geely Holding Group's ride-hailing arm, Caocao Inc, revealed plans to deploy thousands of fully custom-designed robotaxis worldwide in 2027. This bold rollout, announced during the Beijing auto show, positions Caocao as a strong contender against Tesla's growing autonomous fleet ambitions.

Caocao's robotaxi, named Eva Cab, stands out thanks to its purpose-built design rather than retrofitting mass-market vehicles. The interior optimizes passenger convenience, featuring a simplified cabin setup and the elimination of enclosed door pockets to minimize lost belongings. Production, delivery, and deployment are expected to happen almost simultaneously, starting with Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, and five cities across mainland China.

The CEO, Gong Xin, emphasized that these driverless cars will have a lower price tag than privately owned vehicles, even without luxury finishes or high-powered motors, though exact figures weren't disclosed. This pricing approach highlights a push towards accessible shared autonomous mobility.

Caocao, established in 2015 within Geely, has been a central piece in Geely's vision for shared mobility and autonomous services. The company's listing on the Hong Kong stock exchange in mid-2025 came on the heels of its first quarterly adjusted net profit, marking a financial milestone in its growth trajectory.

China's auto industry is ramping up efforts in autonomous tech and mobility services as competition heats up in the world's largest car market. Another player, Xpeng, plans to produce hundreds to thousands of robotaxis in the next year or so. Xpeng's president Brian Gu pointed out that their initial focus is manufacturing these vehicles while seeking global partners to operate a widespread robotaxi service.

These moves suggest an inevitable industry tussle with Tesla, which continues to develop its own bespoke autonomous vehicle, the Cybercab. Elon Musk has noted a cautious production ramp-up before aiming for rapid expansion, hinting at a shift from modified consumer cars to dedicated autonomous fleets.

The outcome of this robotaxi race could reshape urban transportation and force adjustments from established ride-hailing platforms. Whether Caocao can establish a global footprint and challenge Tesla's dominance remains an open question as production gears up next year.

How aggressive will Tesla's production ramp be in comparison, and what partnerships will Chinese firms forge internationally? The next few years promise a jolt in the autonomous vehicle space.