Connected Car
file photo: A logo of the autonomous driving technology startup Pony.ai is seen on a screen during an event in Beijing, China May 13, 2021. REUTERS/Tingshu WangBEIJING, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Toyota (7203.T) and partner Pony.ai are planning to mass produce robotaxis in China, setting up a venture this year which will build cars that employ the startup's autonomous driving technology and ride-hailing services. "This is not only an important step for Toyota to carry out 'Chinese-style succession and evolution' but also a new stage in our business cooperation with Pony.ai," Toyota China CEO Tatsuro Ueda said in the statement. Toyota has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in Pony.ai since the companies first teamed up in 2019. China has been at the forefront in the development of self-driving cars and Pony.ai has launched robotaxi services in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou.