Xpeng Introduces Yoyo, Its Own Robotaxi Brand, and Opens Registration in China

Xpeng is making a deeper push into autonomous mobility with the creation of a dedicated robotaxi brand called Yoyo. The Chinese company, which is active not only in electric vehicles but also in robotics and drones, has now unveiled its own service for autonomous rides. Registration has already opened for the first external users in China, marking a step toward commercial operation of self-driving ride hailing under Xpeng’s own banner.

The move fits a broader strategy at Xpeng, where autonomy and artificial intelligence are increasingly treated as core product pillars rather than side projects. By launching a standalone robotaxi identity, the manufacturer can separate its consumer EV business from a service that will need different operational, regulatory and customer-facing frameworks. The Yoyo name is intended to become the public face of Xpeng’s autonomous ride service, distinct from the company’s passenger car lineup.

For fleet management, Xpeng does not plan to handle all operations internally. The company intends to rely on external partners to run the day-to-day logistics of the service, a model that has become common among robotaxi developers seeking to scale without building every layer of the business themselves. That approach can speed up expansion across cities, where local knowledge of maintenance, depots and customer support is often essential.

The first registrations for external users are being accepted in China, though the announcement stops short of detailing pricing, coverage areas or the exact vehicle model that will be used for the rides. Xpeng has been testing autonomous driving technology on public roads for some time, and the Yoyo brand signals that it now sees a path to letting ordinary passengers take part. Guangzhou has been associated with the company’s robotaxi activities, reflecting Xpeng’s roots in the region.

Competition in China’s robotaxi sector is intensifying, with several automakers and technology firms racing to deploy driverless services in major cities. Xpeng’s decision to create a separate brand suggests it wants a clear consumer identity for autonomous rides, rather than folding them into its existing EV offerings. How quickly Yoyo scales will depend on regulatory approvals, partner networks and the maturity of Xpeng’s self-driving stack. For now, the company is opening the door to early users and positioning itself as more than just a carmaker.