WeRide Inc. (WRD) saw its stock soar 11.37% in pre-market trading on Thursday, as investors reacted enthusiastically to the company's accelerating expansion plans in the Gulf region and its strategic partnership with Uber. The Chinese robotaxi maker is making significant strides in establishing its presence in key Middle Eastern markets, signaling strong growth potential for the autonomous vehicle technology provider.

According to recent announcements, WeRide is set to expand its operations into Saudi Arabia, where it has already been conducting vehicle tests in cities like Riyadh. The company anticipates launching commercial services in the Kingdom by late 2025. Additionally, WeRide has initiated fully driverless robotaxi trials in the UAE's Abu Dhabi this month, with plans to roll out commercial rides by the end of June. The company is also preparing to launch operations in Dubai in the near future, further solidifying its presence in the region.

The Gulf region is emerging as a hotspot for autonomous vehicle technology, with several countries setting ambitious targets for self-driving car adoption. Dubai aims to have 25% of its daily transportation be smart and driverless by 2030, while Abu Dhabi targets 25% of total trips by 2040. Saudi Arabia is pushing for 15% by 2030. This favorable regulatory environment, coupled with high demand for ride-hailing services, makes the Gulf an attractive market for robotaxi companies. WeRide's expansion in this region, along with its partnership with Uber to integrate its services into the Uber app, positions the company for potentially significant growth in the coming years, which has clearly resonated with investors, resulting in today's substantial stock price increase.