Volkswagen (VW) has made significant strides in the autonomous driving market, presenting its ID. Buzz AD production version and announcing plans to deploy it on roads in 2026. The level 4 vehicle, which drives set routes, is scheduled to be rolled out initially in Hamburg and Los Angeles before being expanded globally.
The move puts VW ahead of rival Tesla, with Elon Musk’s company still confirming a tentative launch date for its own robotaxi service. However, Tesla plans to operate just 10-20 Model Y SUVs as public robotaxis in Austin, Texas, compared to VW’s proposed deployment of thousands of vehicles worldwide.
Google affiliate Waymo is leading the autonomous driving charge, with its driverless robotaxis already on the road in several US cities and a plan to more than double its vehicle fleet by 2026. Amazon-backed Zoox also plans to deploy robotaxis without steering wheels or pedals in Las Vegas and San Francisco.
China is also investing heavily in autonomous driving, with companies like Baidu and Pony.ai planning significant expansions of their fleets. Goldman Sachs estimates that the Chinese market will see over half a million robotaxis in service by 2030, with total sales potential of around $47 billion by 2035.
VW’s focus on fleet operators and transport associations is expected to generate significant revenue, with the company establishing partnerships with local authorities and industry groups. However, the company warns that initial profits may be limited, highlighting the need for public funding to support the development of autonomous driving technology.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/autonomous-driving-vw-wants-to-overtake-tesla/a-72990067