Waymo imports 3,200 Chinese-built Zeekr EVs despite 127.5% tariffs

Product / TechRegulation Impact 4
โดย Moneywise.com under the title·US·Read original
Summary · why it matters

Waymo has imported 3,200 Chinese-built Zeekr electric vehicles through the Port of Los Angeles since 2024, including 2,600 units this year alone, as it expands its robotaxi fleet despite a 127.5% tariff on Chinese EVs. The vehicles, called Ojai in the U.S. and CM1e in China, cost an estimated $38,000 before tariffs, rising to roughly $86,500 after duties, plus about $25,000 per unit for hardware and software installation—still cheaper than the $200,000-plus cost of retrofitting Jaguar I-Pace robotaxis. Waymo began rolling out Ojai robotaxis in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix this spring, coinciding with the release of its sixth-generation Waymo Driver system, and expects thousands of Ojai vehicles on the road by year-end. The vehicles are stripped of sensors and computing systems before entering the U.S. to comply with data-collection restrictions, then outfitted with Waymo technology at a factory in Mesa, Arizona. Waymo recently received approval from the California Public Utilities Commission to triple its service area, including operating in San Diego and Sacramento.

Impact on stocks 2

Robotics & Physical AI▲ · 1 stocks
Alphabet Inc Class C
GOOG
▲ PositiveDemandrelevance

Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet, is expanding its robotaxi fleet with cheaper Zeekr EVs, boosting its autonomous vehicle deployment.

Electrification & Mobility▼ · 1 stocks
Tesla Inc
TSLA
▼ NegativeCompetitionrelevance

Waymo's expansion with cheaper EVs intensifies competition in the robotaxi market, potentially challenging Tesla's future robotaxi plans.

Theme Impact 5

Off-coverage companies 1

ZeekrPrivate▲ Positive
Demandrelevance

Zeekr is supplying 3,200 EVs to Waymo, representing a significant order for its vehicles despite tariffs.

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