Waymo Deploys Low-Cost Ojai Fleet to Scale Autonomous Operations

Waymo has expanded its next-generation robotaxi, the Ojai, to all riders in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco, according to reporting from TechCrunch and Engadget. The move marks a transition from the Jaguar I-Pace, which TechCrunch describes as a "stopgap" in Waymo's pursuit of profitability and mass scale.

Built on the SEA-M platform from Zeekr—a brand owned by Geely Holding Group—the Ojai is a minivan designed to be durable, easy to access, and cheaper to build and maintain. This modular approach is central to Waymo's commercial strategy, as the sixth-generation self-driving system is designed to function across various vehicle types, including delivery vans.

Waymo currently operates approximately 300 Ojai vehicles in its commercial fleet and plans to expand into San Diego, Las Vegas, and Denver later this year, TechCrunch reports. While U.S. import tariffs on Chinese-made vehicles have increased costs, research firm MoffettNathanson indicates Waymo is on track to import 5,000 Ojai vehicles by the end of 2026. In July alone, 725 units entered the U.S., where they are outfitted with self-driving technology at a factory in Arizona.

For retail and e-commerce operators, the Ojai's architecture represents a blueprint for solving last-mile margin pressures. By utilizing a platform specifically designed for both robotaxis and delivery vans, Waymo is moving toward a lower-cost operational model that could eventually stabilize the expensive final leg of the supply chain.