Waymo has announced that it has found a facility to build a dedicated factory for the mass production of Level 4 autonomous vehicles in Michigan.
After the self-driving car company announced in January that it would create the world’s first factory entirely for L4 AVs it has been searching for the ideal location and has now found it in Detroit.
The company will work with American Axle & Manufacturing to repurpose an existing facility in the heart of ‘Motor City’ and will help revive the area’s automotive industry by bringing back a workforce that has all but disappeared in recent years.
Waymo said it chose Detroit not only for its motoring significance but because there is a “strong pool of talent across engineering, operations, and fleet coordination”.
“By choosing to establish its new facility in Detroit, Waymo is continuing the city’s momentum and further cementing Michigan as a leader in mobility and the epicenter of advanced automotive manufacturing,” said Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
“More and more Silicon Valley companies are looking to grow in Michigan as they realize the competitive advantages Michigan has to offer: high-tech engineering resources, top-notch research and design, and a highly skilled workforce matched with a low cost of living and low cost of doing business.
“We are pleased to welcome Waymo to Detroit and look forward to working with the company as it moves forward and brings jobs to Michigan residents.”
Waymo hopes to get the facility up and running by mid-2019.