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2mo ago

GM Halts Cruise Robotaxi Program, Cuts Workforce by 50%

General Motors shifts focus to personal autonomous vehicles after significant financial losses and safety concerns derail its robotaxi ambitions.

A woman smiles in the back seat of a self-driving Chevy Bolt EV car during a media event by Cruise, GM’s autonomous car unit, in San Francisco, California, U.S. November 28, 2017. REUTERS/Elijah Nouvelage/File Photo
A General Motors Cruise self driving car is visible driving alongside other vehicles near the Ferry Building on the Embarcedero, San Francisco, California, August 17, 2023. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
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Overview

  • General Motors is ending its Cruise robotaxi operations, laying off nearly 50% of Cruise's workforce, including its CEO and other top executives.
  • The decision follows $10 billion in investment over nine years and comes after safety incidents and regulatory suspensions in 2023 undermined Cruise's viability.
  • GM plans to save $1 billion annually by redirecting resources toward personal autonomous vehicle technology and its Super Cruise driver assistance system.
  • Cruise employees will receive severance packages, benefits, and job search support, with layoffs effective through April 2025.
  • The move highlights intensifying competition in the autonomous vehicle space, with rivals like Waymo continuing to expand robotaxi operations in new cities.