Uber and Chinese autonomous-vehicle company Pony.ai plan to deploy 2,000 robotaxis in Europe, according to CNBC and TechCrunch, expanding a partnership aimed at scaling commercial self-driving rides beyond an initial European market in Zagreb, Croatia. The companies said the European rollout will cover four unnamed cities. Neither outlet reports a deployment timetable: CNBC says the companies did not provide an exact timeframe, while TechCrunch reports that launch details will be disclosed in phases. The announcement adds more volume to Uber’s strategy of acting as a commercialization layer for autonomous-vehicle operators rather than building all of the self-driving stack itself. TechCrunch reports that Pony.ai will provide the autonomous-vehicle technology, while Uber will contribute its ride-hailing marketplace. Fleet management — including maintenance, cleaning and charging — can be handled by local providers, and fleet ownership may vary by market, according to TechCrunch’s account of the companies’ model. The Zagreb status is slightly uneven across the reports. CNBC says Uber and Pony.ai launched a commercial robotaxi service in Croatia’s capital in late March, which the companies claim is the first in Europe. TechCrunch describes Zagreb as the initial market in its summary, but its body says the companies earlier announced plans to launch a commercial robotaxi service there with local company Verne. Both outlets frame the new announcement as an expansion beyond Zagreb. CNBC also reports that Uber and Pony.ai plan to expand the robotaxi partnership to the Middle East. TechCrunch notes that the two companies first partnered in May 2025 with a Middle East focus, and says Pony.ai has been pursuing partnerships with transportation authorities as it seeks to bring robotaxis to European and Middle Eastern markets, including Qatar. The competitive backdrop is a race to prove that robotaxi fleets can operate at commercial scale. CNBC says fleet size has become increasingly important because more vehicles can improve service availability, generate more operational data and help companies make safety cases to regulators. CNBC places Waymo’s fleet at around 5,000 vehicles, primarily in the U.S., and reports that Waymo is testing rides in London while preparing for broader global operations. Uber is also widening its autonomous-vehicle network through other partners. CNBC reports that Uber and WeRide announced plans in June for a robotaxi pilot in Madrid later this year, and that the companies already partner in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. CNBC also says Uber’s Japanese subsidiary signed an agreement with a local taxi operator to manage daily fleet operations for a Tokyo robotaxi test later this year. For Pony.ai, the European deployment target gives the Guangzhou-based company a larger overseas platform at a time when Chinese autonomous-vehicle companies are pushing beyond domestic trials and city launches. TechCrunch reports that Pony.ai has launched in four Chinese cities. CNBC notes that Pony.ai is scheduled to report quarterly earnings Tuesday. Who benefits: Uber benefits if it can add autonomous supply to its marketplace without owning the full self-driving stack. Pony.ai gains a large distribution partner and a clearer path to European deployment scale. Who's exposed: Robotaxi rivals operating or testing in Europe face another scaled entrant if the deployment proceeds. Local taxi and fleet operators may also be exposed, though TechCrunch reports local providers could participate in fleet management depending on the market.