Pony.ai and Japanese automaker Toyota have begun mass production of a bZ4X robotaxi, aiming to scale commercial deployments across China.
The Chinese autonomous driving technology company said more than 1,000 vehicles are scheduled to be built in 2026, with phased introductions into paid services in China’s Tier 1 cities.
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The programme is designed to help Pony.ai grow its robotaxi fleet beyond 3,000 units by the end of this year.
The model has been co-developed by Pony.ai, Toyota Motor China and GAC Toyota.
Manufacturing is being handled jointly by Pony.ai and GAC Toyota at one of Toyota’s global production facilities.
According to Pony.ai, the vehicle uses its seventh-generation autonomous driving system, with all core parts classified as automotive-grade.
The company added that the bill of materials for the autonomous kit has fallen 70% from the previous generation.
Pony.ai first revealed its Gen-7 robotaxi range in April last year, covering three models including the bZ4X, and said the other two entered commercial service in November.
The line-up features Bluetooth-enabled automatic entry, voice-activated cabin controls, music streaming and pre-journey climate settings, alongside revised acceleration and braking calibrated to limit motion sickness.
The milestone follows a partnership launched in 2019, in which Pony.ai and Toyota developed successive robotaxi designs and prepared for high-volume manufacturing.
They also rolled out several vehicles based on Toyota platforms and formed a joint venture to manage design, production, and operational support.
In its statement, Pony.ai said: “Toyota’s core principles of Quality, Durability, and Reliability (QDR) are embedded throughout the entire robotaxi production process, establishing a strong foundation for quality and safety in future large-scale operations.
“Together, these efforts demonstrate a clear pathway for autonomous driving technology to progress from limited-scale validation to large-scale mass production. They also reflect the deepening mutual trust between Pony.ai and Toyota and their shared commitment to large-scale robotaxi commercialisation.”
