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AMSTERDAM and LUXEMBOURG – Stellantis (STLA) and autonomous driving technology firm Pony.ai are teaming up to accelerate the rollout of robotaxi services in Europe, the companies announced Thursday. The partnership, formalized through a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aims to marry Pony.ai’s self-driving software with Stellantis’ specialized hardware platform for autonomous vehicles.
The initial phase of the collaboration will focus on battery-electric medium-size vans, leveraging Stellantis’ AV-Ready Platform. This platform has been specifically designed to support SAE Level 4 autonomous driving, characterized by hands-off, eyes-off operation. Key to this capability are system redundancies and advanced sensor suites integrated to meet stringent safety and reliability benchmarks.
Pony.ai, headquartered in China with a growing global footprint, will integrate its autonomous driving stack with Stellantis’ K0 platform, a medium-size van designed for commercial applications. The companies will begin real-world testing in Luxembourg in the coming months using the Peugeot e-Traveller model, with plans for a broader deployment across European cities starting in 2026. These tests will rigorously evaluate safety, performance, and adherence to evolving regulatory landscapes.
“Driverless vehicles offer the potential to revolutionize urban mobility, providing safer and more affordable transportation options,” noted Ned Curic, Stellantis Chief Engineering & Technology Officer, in a statement. “To realize this, we’ve developed Stellantis’ AV-Ready Platforms and are partnering with industry leaders. Pony.ai’s technical expertise and collaborative ethos make them an ideal partner.”
The strategic focus on light commercial vehicles (LCVs) aligns with Stellantis’ dominance in the European LCV market through its Pro One commercial vehicle business unit. This segment’s versatility, size, and efficiency present an optimal use case for autonomous vehicle applications, ranging from compact robotaxis to multi-passenger vans.
Dr. James Peng, Pony.ai Founder and CEO, emphasized the importance of the partnership for expanding its European presence: “Stellantis’ strong European presence and its portfolio of iconic brands provide an ideal foundation to accelerate our growth in this key market.”
Analysis: This partnership positions Stellantis to capitalize on the burgeoning autonomous delivery and robotaxi markets. While the initial focus is on LCVs, the collaboration lays the groundwork for expansion into passenger transportation. The technical challenge lies in adapting Pony.ai’s autonomous driving system to the diverse and complex urban environments across Europe, a feat that will require extensive testing and data collection. Furthermore, ensuring regulatory compliance in each European country presents a significant hurdle. The deal underscores the increasing trend of automakers partnering with specialized AI and autonomous driving firms to accelerate the development and deployment of self-driving technology, rather than solely relying on in-house development. The long-term success of this venture will depend on the ability to scale the technology safely and cost-effectively while navigating the intricate regulatory landscape.
About Stellantis
Stellantis N.V. (NYSE: STLA / Euronext Milan: STLAM / Euronext Paris: STLAP) is a leading global automaker and mobility provider. More information can be found at www.stellantis.com.
X: @Stellantis
Facebook: Stellantis
LinkedIn: Stellantis
YouTube: Stellantis
About Pony.ai
Pony AI Inc. (“Pony.ai”) is a global leader in autonomous mobility. Pony.ai has expanded its presence across China, Europe, East Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and other regions. Pony.ai operates a fleet consisting of over 500 Robotaxis and over 170 Robotrucks as of August 2025. To date, Pony.ai has driven more than 55 million autonomous testing and operation kilometers on open roads worldwide. Pony.ai Europe (Pony.ai Europe S.a.r.L.), is the European division of Pony.ai, and located in Luxembourg.
X: @PonyAI_tech
LinkedIn: Pony.ai
YouTube: Pony.ai
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