Waymo orders thousands of Zeekr vehicles for robotaxi expansion

Waymo has ordered thousands of Chinese-built Zeekr electric vehicles to expand its US robotaxi fleet, the New York Post reported. MoffettNathanson tracking data puts imports on pace for about 5,100 vehicles by year-end, more than doubling Waymo's current fleet. Waymo says it sources physical vehicles from Zeekr and installs its own sensors and self-driving software in Arizona to comply with federal connected vehicle rules. It says it shares neither rider information nor automated driving system data with vehicle manufacturers. Bipartisan legislation would ban imports of Chinese-manufactured vehicles even when US companies install the software and sensors. The bills provide a three-year grace period for phasing out those vehicles.