GM Halts Autonomous Cruise Origin, Shifts Focus to Chevrolet Bolt

General Motors' Cruise unit has indefinitely delayed its fully autonomous Origin vehicle due to regulatory challenges and will instead focus on a next-generation Chevrolet Bolt as its robotaxi platform. The decision arrives amid a broader industry struggle with the technological and regulatory complexities of developing self-driving systems.

General Motors' Cruise self-driving unit will focus its development efforts on a next-generation Chevrolet Bolt as it indefinitely delays its planned Origin vehicle that would not have a steering wheel, the automaker said on Tuesday. GM cited regulatory risk for its decision, as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has not acted on GM's petition to deploy up to 2,500 self-driving Origin vehicles annually without traditional human controls.

GM will instead utilize a conventional next-generation Bolt EV for its Cruise robotaxi, circumventing the need for approval from U.S. regulators. GM CEO Mary Barra mentioned that opportunities for the Origin vehicle remain open in the future. Analysts highlight that developing autonomous driving systems and robotaxis will be an expensive and lengthy process, fraught with engineering and regulatory battles.

Meanwhile, Tesla and Alphabet are also advancing their self-driving projects. Tesla postponed its Robotaxi unveiling to October while Alphabet plans to invest an additional $5 billion into its Waymo unit. GM previously halted production of its Cruise Origin, causing significant financial setbacks. Amid growing scrutiny following an accident involving a Cruise robotaxi, GM emphasizes that human safety drivers will accompany testing in future trials.

(With inputs from agencies.)