GM Revives Autonomous Vehicle Development with Personal Use Focus, New Hires

GM está reactivando su desarrollo de vehículos autónomos después de cerrar su empresa de vehículos autónomos Cruise. El nuevo enfoque se centrará en coches autónomos para uso personal, en lugar de robotaxis. El fabricante contratará nuevos empleados, incluyendo antiguos empleados de Cruise, y seguirá operando vehículos conducidos por personas en vías públicas para recopilar datos. La directora ejecutiva Mary Barra sigue comprometida con el mercado de vehículos sin conductor.

General Motors (GM) has announced a significant shift in its autonomous vehicle strategy following the closure of its Cruise subsidiary. The new approach will focus on developing personal autonomous vehicles rather than robotaxis. The company plans to hire new employees, including former Cruise staff, and will continue to operate vehicles driven by humans in public roads to gather data. GM's CEO, Mary Barra, remains committed to the market for self-driving cars.

The move comes as GM invests heavily in expanding its U.S. manufacturing capacity. In 2025, the company announced a $4 billion investment aimed at increasing its annual U.S. assembly output to over 2 million vehicles by 2027 [1]. This investment includes facilities in Michigan, Kansas, and Tennessee, reflecting GM's commitment to both gas-powered and electric vehicle production.

GM's new focus on personal autonomous vehicles aligns with broader industry trends. The U.S. automotive industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 2.1% from 2025 to 2030, reaching a market size of USD 1.6 trillion by 2030 [1]. This growth is driven by increasing demand for electric and hybrid vehicles, automated driving solutions, and integration of advanced technologies such as AI and IoT.

The automotive industry faces challenges, including high tariff rates that hinder market growth. The ongoing tariff disruptions with other nations impact the cost of vehicles and automotive parts, which are primarily imported [1]. Despite these challenges, GM's strategic pivot towards personal autonomous vehicles positions the company to capitalize on the growing demand for advanced driving technologies.

GM's commitment to autonomous driving technologies is further underscored by its recent development initiatives. In 2025, GM announced the revival of its iconic Street & Racing Technology (SRT) brand, signaling a renewed focus on high-performance vehicles [1]. This move indicates GM's intention to remain competitive in the rapidly evolving automotive landscape.

References:
[1] https://www.marknteladvisors.com/research-library/automotive-industry-us.html