Hyundai is reportedly in talks with Waymo to build self-driving cars, all details
Sep 19, 2024, 14:28 IST
Alphabet’s autonomous vehicle subsidiary, Waymo, is reportedly in discussions with South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor to delegate the production of its next-generation self-driving cars. According to a Reuters report originally attributed to South Korea's Electronic Times, the two companies have already met multiple times to explore the possibility of using Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 electric cars as the platform for Waymo’s sixth-generation autonomous technology.
The report further adds that if these talks move forward, Hyundai’s vehicles could potentially replace Waymo’s current test models, which are being built by China-based Zeekr. This shift in suppliers comes at a critical time as the United States government recently implemented significantly higher tariffs on Chinese imports, including a 100 percent duty on electric vehicles, set to take effect on September 27. The tariff hikes were confirmed by the Biden administration last week, which could lead to strategic moves for companies reliant on Chinese manufacturing.
When Reuters approached for a comment on this potential collaboration, Waymo declined to address the speculation directly. However, the company did confirm to Reuters that it is actively testing and refining its sixth-generation self-driving system on the Zeekr platform and plans to introduce the vehicles to its fleet once they are fully validated.
Hyundai, on the other hand, has remained non-committal regarding its involvement in the reported talks. A spokesperson for Hyundai Motor Group told Reuters, "At this point, no final decisions have been made about new ventures."
The automaker, however, is no stranger to autonomous technology. Hyundai has its own self-driving arm, Motional, which had previously announced plans to launch a robotaxi service using Hyundai Ioniq 5 electric vehicles. However, the introduction of this service was postponed until 2026, with Motional also laying off hundreds of employees in the U.S. earlier this year, according to a report by TechCrunch.
This potential partnership between Waymo and Hyundai marks a significant step in the race to expand autonomous driving services. Waymo has a history of collaborating with established automakers for its fleet. The company has already integrated its autonomous technology into vehicles from Stellantis and Jaguar Land Rover, offering self-driving ride-hailing services in major U.S. cities like Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
Although Zeekr has been a key partner for Waymo's latest technology trials, the looming U.S. tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles might force the company to rethink its supply chain and partner strategy. Zeekr, a brand under China’s Geely Automobile Holdings, has been an important player in Waymo's testing of its autonomous driving systems, but the changing regulatory environment could encourage a shift to a more geographically diverse manufacturing base, such as Hyundai in South Korea.
In light of these developments, the potential collaboration between Waymo and Hyundai could be a game-changer, not just for the companies involved but also for the broader autonomous vehicle industry. The partnership could give Waymo an edge in securing a more stable supply chain while also tapping into Hyundai’s expertise in electric vehicle production as the company navigates the challenges posed by new trade regulations and technological advancements.
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The report further adds that if these talks move forward, Hyundai’s vehicles could potentially replace Waymo’s current test models, which are being built by China-based Zeekr. This shift in suppliers comes at a critical time as the United States government recently implemented significantly higher tariffs on Chinese imports, including a 100 percent duty on electric vehicles, set to take effect on September 27. The tariff hikes were confirmed by the Biden administration last week, which could lead to strategic moves for companies reliant on Chinese manufacturing.
When Reuters approached for a comment on this potential collaboration, Waymo declined to address the speculation directly. However, the company did confirm to Reuters that it is actively testing and refining its sixth-generation self-driving system on the Zeekr platform and plans to introduce the vehicles to its fleet once they are fully validated.
Hyundai, on the other hand, has remained non-committal regarding its involvement in the reported talks. A spokesperson for Hyundai Motor Group told Reuters, "At this point, no final decisions have been made about new ventures."
The automaker, however, is no stranger to autonomous technology. Hyundai has its own self-driving arm, Motional, which had previously announced plans to launch a robotaxi service using Hyundai Ioniq 5 electric vehicles. However, the introduction of this service was postponed until 2026, with Motional also laying off hundreds of employees in the U.S. earlier this year, according to a report by TechCrunch.
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Although Zeekr has been a key partner for Waymo's latest technology trials, the looming U.S. tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles might force the company to rethink its supply chain and partner strategy. Zeekr, a brand under China’s Geely Automobile Holdings, has been an important player in Waymo's testing of its autonomous driving systems, but the changing regulatory environment could encourage a shift to a more geographically diverse manufacturing base, such as Hyundai in South Korea.
In light of these developments, the potential collaboration between Waymo and Hyundai could be a game-changer, not just for the companies involved but also for the broader autonomous vehicle industry. The partnership could give Waymo an edge in securing a more stable supply chain while also tapping into Hyundai’s expertise in electric vehicle production as the company navigates the challenges posed by new trade regulations and technological advancements.