WeRide Inc (WRD) shares jumped 6.15% in pre-market trading on Tuesday following the announcement of the company's significant expansion into Saudi Arabia. The autonomous driving technology firm revealed plans to launch its Robotaxi service and other autonomous driving products in the Middle Eastern country, marking a major step in its global growth strategy.

According to the company's statement, WeRide will begin Robotaxi trial operations on Uber in Saudi Arabia in the coming months, with full commercial services expected to roll out by late 2025. This move aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to build smart, sustainable cities by enhancing road safety and introducing innovative mobility solutions. In addition to Robotaxis, WeRide is also deploying its Robobus in several key areas across Saudi Arabia, including King Fahad Medical City and AlUla, addressing last-mile transportation needs.

This expansion into Saudi Arabia builds upon WeRide's growing presence in the Middle East. Earlier this month, the company launched fully driverless Robotaxi testing in Abu Dhabi and announced plans to extend its services to Dubai. With Saudi Arabia being the largest economy in the Middle East and its tourism sector projected to reach $110.1 billion by 2033, WeRide's entry into this market presents significant growth opportunities. Investors appear optimistic about the company's potential in this new territory, as reflected in the pre-market stock surge.