Pony AI reported that its robotaxi fleet generated a record number of paid orders during the 2026 Chinese New Year holiday, with an average of 26 paid orders per vehicle per day in Shenzhen. By February 16, the cumulative paid orders in Shenzhen had already exceeded the total number of orders recorded for the entire 2025 year, underscoring the surge in demand during the nine‑day holiday period.
The record performance was enabled by a significant expansion of the fleet. Early in 2026 Pony AI operated more than 1,100 robotaxis, up from 961 vehicles in November 2025, and the company has set a target of 3,000 vehicles by the end of 2026. The larger fleet, combined with higher vehicle utilization, drove the jump in order volume.
Pony AI’s operations during the holiday spanned all four of China’s tier‑one cities—Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Beijing, and Shanghai—after securing regulatory approvals for fully driverless service in each city. In Guangzhou, the company achieved city‑wide unit‑economics breakeven for its Gen‑7 robotaxis, a key milestone toward profitability.
Cost efficiencies have also played a role. The Gen‑7 autonomous‑driving kit’s bill‑of‑materials cost fell 20% for 2026 production, and the overall autonomous‑driving suite cost is 70% lower than the previous generation. An asset‑light partnership model further accelerates fleet scaling while keeping capital expenditures in check.
The record order volume signals strong market demand and validates Pony AI’s strategy to scale its fleet across major Chinese cities. It positions the company ahead of competitors such as Baidu’s Apollo Go and WeRide, and it brings the firm closer to sustainable, profitable operations in the rapidly evolving robotaxi market.
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