A Pony AI robotaxi on display at the Beijing Auto Show in April 2026. Credit: CnEVPost
- Pony AI’s first-quarter robotaxi revenue hit $8.6 million, surging 395.4% year-on-year.
- Pony AI boosts its year-end robotaxi fleet target to over 3,500 vehicles from the previously expected 3,000.
Chinese autonomous driving startup Pony AI (NASDAQ: PONY) raised the full-year growth forecast for its core business, now expecting its 2026 robotaxi revenue to exceed 3.5 times the 2025 level.
The latest financial guidance is significantly higher than the three-fold growth target set earlier this year. Pony AI also raised its global robotaxi fleet target for the end of 2026 to over 3,500 vehicles, up from the previously expected 3,000.
Strong first-quarter financial results supported management’s optimistic outlook. In the three months ended March 31, Pony AI’s robotaxi service revenue reached $8.6 million, a massive 395.4% surge from a year earlier, according to an earnings report released Tuesday.
The company’s total revenue climbed to $34.3 million in the first quarter, up 145% year-on-year.
In addition to the stellar performance of its robotaxi business, autonomous truck service revenue also saw solid growth. Revenue for this segment rose 31% year-on-year to $10.2 million.
Furthermore, intelligent solutions revenue, driven by demand in the low-speed delivery and logistics markets, reached $15.5 million. This represents a robust 246.5% year-on-year increase, reflecting the broader application of its autonomous driving technology in adjacent sectors.
Despite the significant revenue growth, the company still recorded a net loss of $53.5 million in the first quarter, widening from a net loss of $37.4 million a year earlier. This was primarily due to a decrease in investment income and higher operating expenses to support business expansion.
Pony AI CFO Leo Wang said in a statement that the company continues to make disciplined investments in its seventh-generation robotaxi deployment and technology optimization.
He believes the solid balance sheet positions the company well to achieve its 2026 commercialization objectives.
Pony AI is accelerating the reduction of vehicle production costs to support future large-scale deployment. The company plans to reduce the total bill of materials cost for its seventh-generation robotaxi to below 230,000 yuan (about $33,890) by mid-2027.
In overseas markets, Pony AI is actively advancing its global commercial footprint. The company recently partnered with Uber and Verne to launch Europe’s first commercial robotaxi service in Croatia.
CEO James Peng said that the company made continued progress in both domestic and overseas markets in the first quarter. The dual-engine growth strategy and joint deployment model will continue to drive the scaled development of autonomous mobility services.
As of the end of May, Pony AI’s robotaxi fleet size had exceeded 1,700 vehicles.
The company’s average weekly paid orders in May grew by 119% compared to January, demonstrating strong and sustained user demand for rides.
Pony AI’s fourth-quarter net income reached $75.5 million, primarily driven by an investment gain.
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