The CEO of CAOCAO INC, a ride-hailing company under Geely Holding Group, announced on Friday that the firm plans to deploy thousands of autonomous taxis globally next year. This initiative could potentially position it as a competitor to Tesla's Cybercab. During an interview at the Beijing Auto Show, the CEO stated that the EVA Cab, an autonomous vehicle developed in-house by Geely, is expected to commence mass delivery and deployment in 2028. The company aims to expand its fleet to 100,000 units by the year 2030. He mentioned that the EVA Cab will first be introduced next year in Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, and five cities in mainland China. He added that production, delivery, and deployment will occur almost simultaneously. This driverless taxi, specifically designed for autonomous operation, features a redesigned cabin that simplifies storage space and eliminates enclosed door pockets, thereby reducing the risk of passengers leaving personal items behind. The CEO noted that autonomous vehicles, which forgo luxury interiors and high-power motors, will be less expensive than private cars. However, he did not disclose specific pricing details. This model differs significantly from most autonomous taxis currently operating on public roads, which are typically modified versions of mass-market vehicles. Such modifications often limit interior optimization and the ability to control costs at scale.
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