Waymo has officially opened its next-generation Ojai robotaxi to all riders in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix. The vehicle, built by China's Zeekr, is a purpose-built autonomous taxi without a steering wheel or pedals, showcasing L4 autonomous driving technology. This marks the first large-scale deployment of a Chinese-made EV in the US ride-hailing market, signaling a new phase of Sino-US collaboration in autonomous driving.
This deployment demonstrates the economic viability of using Chinese EV platforms for high-level autonomous applications, even with significant tariffs. Waymo has imported over 3,200 Zeekr vehicles since 2024, paying a 127.5% tariff, yet the total cost per vehicle (including Waymo's sensor suite) remains less than half the reported cost of the Jaguar I-PACE robotaxis it is replacing. This validates the cost-effectiveness of Chinese EV manufacturing and could influence future partnerships and regulatory frameworks.
This move provides Waymo with a larger, more cost-effective fleet and offers Zeekr significant international brand exposure. It underscores the growing role of Chinese EV platforms in the global autonomous driving ecosystem.
For B2B buyers and fleet operators, this development highlights the importance of evaluating EV platforms for autonomous readiness. Companies should consider total cost of ownership, including tariffs and sensor integration, and assess partnerships with manufacturers offering purpose-built autonomous vehicle architectures. The Zeekr Ojai's SEA-M architecture demonstrates the potential of dedicated EV platforms for scalability and cost efficiency in robotaxi services.
