Waymo imports over 2,600 Chinese Zeekr vans into US this year despite 127.5% tariff
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Waymo has imported more than 2,600 Zeekr Ojai electric vans into the United States this year, paying a 127.5% tariff that pushes per-vehicle costs above $100,000. More than 100 of the vans are already in service in Los Angeles and San Francisco, and the Zeekr remains cheaper than the Jaguar I-Pace in Waymo's fleet. The imports continue even as Washington's tariff wall keeps mainstream Chinese auto brands out of American showrooms.
The Tariff Cost
US import declarations value the Ojai at about $38,000, close to the CM1e's $39,000 sticker in China. Forbes pegs US tariffs on Chinese EVs at 127.5 percent, bringing the landed cost to roughly $86,500 before Waymo's Gen 6 hardware and software package of about $25,000 per vehicle is added. That pushes each tariffed robotaxi above $100,000. The Zeekr still undercuts the Jaguar I-Pace in Waymo's fleet, which is estimated to cost upwards of $200,000 per vehicle.
Fleet Deployment
More than 3,200 Zeekr vans have been imported to the United States since 2024, including more than 2,600 this year, according to Forbes. Waymo says more than 100 of the Zeekr-built vans are already in service, including in Los Angeles and San Francisco. The remaining imported examples are testing, stored, or awaiting deployment, with no public breakdown available.
Tariff Context
The federal clampdown on Chinese cars has kept mainstream Chinese brands out of American showrooms, but the Waymo-Zeekr agreement predates the sweeping tariffs introduced by the Trump administration. According to Carscoops, nobody in Washington is in a hurry to change course. Despite the tariffs, shipments of the dedicated robotaxi van continue to reach American docks.
What's Next
Waymo has not said when the remaining imported Zeekr vans will be deployed across new markets. It remains unclear whether future imports of Chinese-built robotaxis will face additional restrictions or tariff changes as US policy evolves.
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Waymo imports over 2,600 Chinese Zeekr vans into US this year despite 127.5% tariff
