Baidu Expands Global Footprint with Swiss and Turkish Market Entry

The autonomous transportation revolution is spreading across Europe as Chinese technology giant Baidu prepares to introduce its Apollo Go self-driving taxi service to Switzerland and Turkey, according to sources familiar with the company's plans, as per a CNEV Post. This expansion marks an international growth phase for the Beijing-based tech giant as it extends its autonomous driving beyond Asian markets.

Baidu Negotiating Strategic Partnership

Baidu is currently engaged in discussions with PostAuto, a prominent Swiss public transportation operator under Swiss Post's corporate umbrella. The collaboration aims to introduce Apollo Go's robotaxi services to Swiss consumers through an established transportation network. To facilitate this European market entry, Baidu plans to establish a local corporate entity in Switzerland within the coming months, with autonomous vehicle testing expected to commence before year-end.

Since 2013, Baidu has transformed Apollo Go into one of China's most extensive robotaxi operations, currently serving passengers across more than ten mainland Chinese cities. 

The service showcases a fully autonomous electric vehicle experience, providing urban commuters with driverless transportation alternatives.

Following successful expansion into Hong Kong, where authorities granted Apollo Go special pilot licenses in November 2023 and recently approved testing zone expansions, Baidu appears poised for its European market debut. The company's autonomous vehicles, typically featuring electric powertrains for environmental sustainability, represent cutting-edge mobility technology.

Baidu Joins Other Chinese Firms

Baidu joins several Chinese autonomous vehicle technology companies pursuing international growth opportunities. Competitors including WeRide, Pony AI, and Momenta have recently secured significant global partnerships to accelerate deployment of their autonomous transportation solutions.

WeRide's collaboration with ride-hailing giant Uber has already yielded operational robotaxi services in Abu Dhabi (launched December 2023) and Dubai, with recent agreements expanding their partnership to fifteen additional urban markets.

Similarly, both Pony AI and Momenta announced strategic Uber platform integration partnerships earlier this month, intensifying competition in the global autonomous electric vehicle ride-hailing sector.

Baidu's planned Swiss and Turkish operations represent a significant milestone in the company's international strategy. The establishment of local business entities and commencement of testing operations demonstrate Baidu's serious commitment to European market development.