# Waymo Expands with New Robotaxi Assembly Plant Amid Rising Rides
Written on
Chapter 1: Waymo's Growth in the Autonomous Vehicle Market
Waymo has announced a collaboration with the automotive engineering company Magna to establish a second assembly plant in Arizona, as reported by Forbes. This new facility will enhance the production of electric Jaguar SUVs, reflecting Waymo's rapid growth trajectory.
The company confirmed to Forbes that the plant will be located in Mesa, Arizona. Magna will manage the facility, which will be responsible for equipping I-Pace SUVs with advanced technologies such as cameras, laser lidar, radar, and various sensors, along with computing systems and in-cabin displays under a contract with Waymo, based in Mountain View, California. Presently, all Waymo vehicles are assembled at a smaller factory that Magna has been operating in Detroit since 2019.
Section 1.1: Recent Milestones
The establishment of the Arizona facility follows Waymo's recent announcement that its autonomous ride-hailing service is now providing over 100,000 paid rides weekly to the public. This milestone comes just months after the service reached 50,000 rides per week. As Waymo expands its services in existing markets and prepares to launch operations in Austin, Texas, later this year, this figure is expected to double once again.
Subsection 1.1.1: Competitive Landscape
Despite facing numerous competitors over the past decade, Waymo remains the only company to successfully scale a commercial autonomous vehicle service across multiple cities. While the company is likely experiencing rapid revenue growth, it has not yet disclosed when it anticipates achieving profitability.
Section 1.2: Safety Record and Partnerships
Crucially, Waymo has managed to avoid major accidents that have plagued competitors, including a high-profile incident in San Francisco involving a Cruise robotaxi and a tragic pedestrian fatality involving an Uber vehicle in Phoenix that led to the cessation of its self-driving program. Waymo's rides can be accessed via Uber's app, and last week, Uber announced that Cruise's services would also be available through its platform once they resume operations.
Chapter 2: Investment in Future Developments
The Mesa project follows Alphabet's recent announcement of an additional $5 billion investment in Waymo. Ruth Porat, Alphabet's outgoing CFO, stated that this funding will support Waymo in solidifying its position as a leader in the autonomous driving sector.
Additionally, observers in Phoenix noted the arrival of numerous I-Pace vehicles being delivered and stored at a warehouse in Mesa, close to Waymo's robotaxi hub. Although the vehicles were not yet equipped with Waymo's distinctive sensors, they had been modified for installation.
"An approximately 230,000 square-foot facility has been selected, and the installation of equipment is currently in progress," said Magna spokesman Dave Niemiec. "This expansion is anticipated to generate hundreds of new jobs," including positions for manufacturing technicians and team leaders focused on assembly and material handling, according to Magna's website.
While both Waymo and Magna have refrained from disclosing the exact investment amount for the Mesa project, the focus remains on enhancing the I-Pace as the primary vehicle for Waymo, replacing its earlier fleet of Chrysler Pacifica minivans. Waymo has also initiated U.S. road tests for its next-generation electric van, designed by the Chinese brand Zeekr. However, a Waymo spokesman did not confirm whether Zeekr vehicles would be assembled at the Mesa facility in the future.