GM Halts Production of Cruise Autonomous Taxis

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Published inAI News · 4 min read · Jul 24, 2024

Recently, General Motors (GM) announced the suspension of production for the Cruise Origin autonomous taxi. According to a report by The New York Times, GM has decided to shift its focus to the already in-use Chevrolet Bolt EV, with a modified version set to be launched next year.

Car on Road (3)

Image source: Generated by AI, image licensed through Midjourney

Regarding this decision, GM CEO Mary Barra stated in a letter to shareholders that the design of the Cruise Origin led to "regulatory uncertainty." The vehicle was specifically designed for autonomous driving, without a steering wheel or pedals, and has no distinguishable front or rear, eliminating the need for a driver. However, industry insiders estimate that each Cruise Origin could cost upwards of hundreds of thousands of dollars, which has undoubtedly made regulators hesitant to approve it.

In fact, back in September last year, GM had indicated that Origin was just days away from regulatory approval. However, the situation did not unfold smoothly. A month later, Cruise's autonomous taxis were banned in California due to multiple incidents, including a Cruise vehicle without a driver hitting and dragging a pedestrian in San Francisco. Since then, GM has lost billions in this business and has had to take measures to keep Cruise operational while readjusting its direction.

Currently, Cruise is testing the modified Chevrolet Bolt EV autonomous taxis in Dallas, Houston, and Phoenix, Arizona, with human safety drivers on board. Earlier this year, Cruise also resumed manual driving tests without passengers. Despite facing numerous challenges, GM seems to still be exploring appropriate paths to navigate the complexities of the autonomous driving sector.

Key Points:

🚗 GM has suspended production of the Cruise Origin, refocusing on the modified version of the Chevrolet Bolt EV.

⚖️ The design of the Cruise Origin has led to regulatory uncertainty, causing delays and bans in approval.

🌍 Cruise is currently conducting autonomous testing of the Bolt EV in multiple cities, still adjusting its operational strategy.

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