Chinese-made cars could enter the U.S. market faster than expected, driven by inflows via Mexico and Canada, Waymo’s adoption of China-built vehicles and price competitiveness. Waymo is importing Zeekr Ohai minivans made in China and fitting autonomous systems in Arizona despite 127.5 percent tariffs. Canada has begun importing up to 50,000 Chinese EVs a year under a new agreement. Executives and analysts cite persistent price gaps as a key factor.

Waymo has built up 953 robotaxis at its Mesa, Arizona, site, with 684 already fitted with sensors and converted for immediate deployment, a monthly aerial-photo analysis shows. The count also identified 12 completed Hyundai Ioniq 5-based robotaxis for the first time. Waymo said its sixth-generation hardware cuts sensor count 42 percent and costs under $20,000 per vehicle. Waymo processes more than 500,000 paid rides a week and targets 1 million by end-2026.