CAOCAO INC (02643) demonstrated strong stock performance, with shares rising over 10% during early trading today. By market close, the stock had gained 3.25% to HKD 24.16 per share, ranking among the top performers in Hong Kong's mobility sector. At a press conference for the 2026 Hong Kong Auto Expo, Yang Xueliang, Senior Vice President of Geely Holding Group, revealed that CAOCAO INC will prominently showcase China's first natively developed Robotaxi prototype at the expo. The company plans to establish its Robotaxi operations in Hong Kong, utilizing the city as a strategic bridgehead to expand into global right-hand drive markets. The prototype integrates CAOCAO INC's accumulated experience in customized vehicle development and a decade of mobility operations, representing Geely Holding Group's latest exploration into the commercialization of Robotaxis. According to the plan, the deeply customized version of the Robotaxi is scheduled for mass production in 2027, with a cumulative deployment target of 100,000 vehicles by 2030. Market analysts note that Hong Kong is not only an international financial center but also a crucial gateway connecting right-hand drive markets in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. If Robotaxi services achieve commercial implementation in Hong Kong first, it could open up significant opportunities for CAOCAO INC's subsequent global expansion. As the primary commercialization vehicle for Geely Holding Group's Robotaxi initiatives, CAOCAO INC has developed a comprehensive, closed-loop Robotaxi ecosystem integrating "smart custom vehicles, smart driving technology, and smart operations." This year, CAOCAO INC's Robotaxi business has continued to accelerate. In April, the company received approval to become the first enterprise in Hangzhou permitted to conduct unmanned road tests for Robotaxis, marking the official entry of its Robotaxi business into the unmanned testing phase. Recently, CAOCAO INC announced a strategic partnership with Shanghai International Automobile City, planning to deploy 100 Robotaxis in Shanghai this year to expedite the large-scale rollout of its Robotaxi services in key first-tier cities. Concurrently, the autonomous driving industry has been gaining momentum. On May 21, Tesla officially announced that its supervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) system is available for use in China, increasing capital market attention on the Robotaxi and smart driving industry chains. Beyond business progress, share buybacks are also seen as a key factor supporting market sentiment. Last week, CAOCAO INC announced its intention to repurchase company shares on the open market over a one-year period starting May 14, 2026, using up to HKD 200 million of its own funds. The repurchased shares will be either canceled or held as treasury shares, depending on market conditions and capital management needs. The buyback plan has already commenced, further strengthening market confidence in the company's long-term value. Industry observers widely believe that with the implementation of the share buyback and the ongoing advancement of the Robotaxi business, expectations for a valuation recovery of CAOCAO INC are strengthening. Several institutions have issued positive assessments: Citigroup set a target price of HKD 70, Caitong Securities initiated coverage with a "Buy" rating, and Guosen Securities maintained an "Outperform" rating.
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