Mercedes-backed Momenta targets Dubai and Europe for robotaxi expansion

Momenta Global, the Mercedes-backed Chinese autonomous-driving company, plans to expand robotaxi operations to Dubai and additional European cities, with thousands of robotaxis targeted for the road next year. The company’s robotaxi chief, Shuo Xie, told Reuters that Momenta is testing more than 100 vehicles across three countries, including five Chinese cities plus Munich and Abu Dhabi. She said the fleet should be in the hundreds by the end of this year and “several thousand” by the end of next year. Momenta has been in talks with “a few” European cities, while Japan is also a priority. Competing with Waymo and Pony.ai, Momenta raised about $751 million in a Hong Kong IPO in July, but shares have fallen roughly 45% and the firm remains unprofitable.