Stellantis and Pony.ai forge alliance for European Robotaxi development

Stellantis, a global automaker, and Pony.ai, a autonomous driving technology company, have officially announced a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate the development and deployment of robotaxi solutions across Europe. This strategic partnership aims to integrate Pony.ai’s advanced autonomous driving software with Stellantis’s AV-Ready Platform, focusing initially on battery-electric medium-sized vans ideal for robotaxi applications.

The collaboration will leverage Stellantis’s strong position as Europe’s leading manufacturer of light commercial vehicles (LCVs) through its Pro One commercial vehicle business unit. Initial real-world testing is slated to commence in Luxembourg in the coming months, utilizing test vehicles based on the Peugeot e-Traveller model. A gradual rollout across other European cities is anticipated to begin in 2026. This initiative underscores a shared vision to transform urban mobility by offering safer and more affordable autonomous options.

Ned Curic, Stellantis Chief Engineering & Technology Officer, emphasized the potential of driverless vehicles to revolutionize urban transportation and highlighted Pony.ai’s technical expertise and collaborative approach as key to bringing this vision to life. Dr. James Peng, Founder and CEO of Pony.ai, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, noting Stellantis’s strong European presence and iconic brand portfolio as ideal for accelerating their growth in this crucial market.

While the initial focus is on LCVs, the collaboration is expected to lay the groundwork for broader applications, potentially extending autonomous mobility services to both goods and people. This partnership marks a significant step towards advancing SAE Level 4 (hands-off, eyes-off) autonomous vehicle technology in Europe.