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Driverless Delivery Van Startup Sees Demand Surge Amid Outbreak

  • Beijing-based firm’s vans delivering medical supplies in China
  • Regulatory restrictions in China eased during virus crisis
The Neolix vehicle at Leishenshan Hospital in Wuhan on Feb. 14.
The Neolix vehicle at Leishenshan Hospital in Wuhan on Feb. 14.Source: Neolix
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The coronavirus has hurt many companies in China and around the world. Neolix, a driverless delivery business based in Beijing, isn’t among them -- in fact, it’s seen a jump in demand.

The startup, which has attracted customers including Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., Meituan Dianping and JD.Com Inc., has booked orders for more than 200 vehicles in the past two months; before then, it had only produced 125 units since manufacturing began last May, founder Yu Enyuan said in an interview.