(Reuters) -Self-driving startup WeRide raised a combined $440.5 million in its U.S. initial public offering and a private placement on Friday, the latest Chinese firm to capitalize on improving investor sentiment and easing regulatory roadblocks.

WeRide Inc. American depositary shares increased 6.8 per cent from their initial public offering price after the Chinese self-driving automotive company raised $440.5 million in a first-time share sale and private placement.

WeRide Inc. American depositary shares surged 21% from their initial public offering price after the Chinese self-driving automotive company raised $440.5 million in a first-time share sale and private placement.

WeRide: The company sold 7.7 million American depositary shares in the offering at USD 15.50 a piece, the lower end of its targeted range of USD 15.50 to USD 18.50 per ADS.

WeRide concluded its IPO offering on the Nasdaq exchange today, raising a total of $440.5M in a combination of public offering and private placements.

Chinese self-driving start-up WeRide has filed for a US$119.4 million initial public offering (IPO) on Nasdaq and a private placement of US$320.5 million, according to a term sheet seen by Reuters on Wednesday.

SELF-DRIVING car company WeRide notched a valuation of about US$4.2 billion, after raising US$120 million in its US initial public offering (IPO) on Friday (Oct 25), becoming the latest Chinese company to capitalise on easing regulatory hurdles to list in New York.

Self-driving firm WeRide notched a valuation of $4.21 billion after raising $120 million in its U.S. initial public offering on Friday, becoming the latest Chinese company to capitalize on easing regulatory hurdles to list in New York.

WeRide's shares rose 19% in their Nasdaq debut on Friday, after the self-driving startup raised $440.5 million in its IPO and private placement, becoming the latest Chinese firm to capitalize on improving market sentiment.