Marketplace Morning Report China puts the brakes on driverless taxis
Dec 24, 2025
Ella Hoxer, an investment management professional specializing in commodities, shares valuable insights into market dynamics for 2025. She discusses a striking 109% surge in silver prices due to industrial demand and limited supply. Hoxer explains the challenges in the oil market, noting a decline due to ample supply and weaker demand. Additionally, she highlights significant shifts in coffee and cocoa markets, with coffee rebounding from supply issues and cocoa experiencing a significant price correction. A fascinating exploration of commodities awaits!
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China’s Narrow Robotaxi Approval
- China approved only two of nine companies to run limited robotaxi tests, signalling a regulatory pullback.
- The approvals allow highway testing without lane changes and require drivers on other roads, prioritizing safety over rapid deployment.
Fatal Crash Triggered Public Backlash
- A March crash in Anhui province killed three women and sparked widespread public attention in China.
- That accident appears to have directly influenced regulators to restrict self-driving taxi permissions.
Regulation Overtakes Hype
- The limited approvals represent a rolling back of China's previous push for rapid robo-taxi rollout.
- Government investment and publicity continue, but regulators emphasise stringent safety standards now.