Waymo is scaling fast. Here’s what the fleet data shows.

Waymo's adoption of Chinese-manufactured vehicles, like the Zeekr Ojai, introduces new geopolitical and trade considerations to autonomous vehicle scaling. It also signals a potential shift in the vehicle supply chain for AV companies facing cost pressures.

Waymo, the autonomous vehicle company backed by Alphabet, is rapidly expanding its commercial robotaxi operations, now serving 15 U.S. cities and averaging 500,000 paid rides weekly. While the company has grown its geographic footprint significantly over the past two years, the majority of its fleet is concentrated in California and Texas. Approximately 80% of Waymo's roughly 4,000 vehicles are deployed in these two states, with a notable acceleration in Texas over the past three weeks. This recent surge in Texas is largely driven by the introduction of the "Ojai," a Chinese-built minivan from Zeekr, which is now being outfitted with Waymo's self-driving technology. Waymo's strategy with the Ojai is to reduce costs and scale operations, despite current U.S. tariffs on Chinese-manufactured vehicles increasing import costs.

Waymo's aggressive expansion, particularly the rapid increase in its Texas fleet driven by the Ojai minivan, indicates a strategic pivot towards scaling with vehicles designed for fleet use. The focus on a Chinese-built platform, despite tariffs, highlights the cost-effectiveness and design advantages these vehicles offer for autonomous operations. This move suggests that the long-term cost of vehicle acquisition and operation may outweigh short-term trade policy impacts for companies aiming for mass-market robotaxi services.

The integration of Gemini AI as an in-car assistant in the Ojai signifies a trend toward enhancing the passenger experience through advanced AI, moving beyond basic navigation and safety features. This dual focus on hardware optimization for ride-hailing and AI-powered passenger amenities suggests that future robotaxis will prioritize both operational efficiency and customer engagement to drive adoption and profitability.