General Motors (GM) has announced a strategic pivot in its self-driving vehicle program. The company's Cruise unit will now concentrate on developing the next-generation Chevrolet Bolt, putting the production of the autonomous Origin vehicle on hold indefinitely.
In 2022, GM sought approval from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to deploy up to 2,500 Origin self-driving vehicles annually. However, with the agency yet to respond, GM has opted to mitigate regulatory risks by shifting its focus to the more conventional Bolt EV platform for its Cruise robotaxi services.
GM CEO Mary Barra expressed optimism about the long-term potential of the Origin, stating, \"I do think in the future there's going to be opportunity for Origin – and so that remains open to us at the right time.\"
Industry analysts acknowledge the extensive and costly journey ahead for fully autonomous vehicles, highlighting significant engineering and regulatory hurdles that could take years to overcome.
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GM delays self-driving vehicle production, shifts focus to new EV
cgtn.com
