DETROIT (WXYZ) — A few months after Waymo announced it would open the first factory dedicated to building self-driving vehicles, the company said it has found a facility right here in Detroit.
According to a blog post on Medium, Waymo CEO John Krafcik said they will partner with American Axle & Manufacturing to repurpose an existing facility to build the Waymo vehicles.
"We wanted this facility o benefit from a location in southeast Michigan—the heart of the American automotive industry — and its strong talent base," the post reads.
According to a Michigan Economic Development Corporation release from January, the company will create at least 100 jobs and a potential for up to 400 jobs. Currently, they have an operation in Novi.
It's also expected to generate a private investment of $13.6 million.
“Today’s announcement by Waymo shows that the City of Detroit remains at the center of the future of the auto industry. Waymo could have located the world’s first 100% dedicated Level 4 autonomous vehicle factory anywhere. We deeply appreciate the confidence John Krafcik and the Waymo team are showing in the Motor City," Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said in the post.
“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,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer added.
