Waymo sets up Shanghai self-driving car unit in latest effort to expand presence in China

Waymo is beefing up its presence in China. Alphabet Inc's self-driving unit has set up a subsidiary in Shanghai, according to a business registration filing, the latest sign that the U.S. internet giant is attempting to make new inroads into China. Waymo established a wholly-owned company called Huimo Business Consulting Co on May 22 in Shanghai's free trade zone with registered capital of 3.5 million yuan ($509,165), according to China's National Enterprise Information Publicity System. Waymo's move comes as China makes a major push into autonomous smart vehicles to keep pace with the United States in a global race to develop self-driving vehicles Its scope includes business and logistics consultancy as well as services related to the design and testing of self-driving car parts, said the document, which also listed the firm's legal representative as Kevin Bradley Vosen. Waymo did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Alphabet Inc's Google, which quit China's search engine market in 2010, has been actively seeking ways to re-enter the sector in the country where many of its products are blocked by regulators.