April 24, 2019—Waymo will build a new factory in Detroit, Click On Detroit reports. Google's self-driving car company announced in January the company's interest to build a factory in the Southeast Michigan area for autonomous vehicles.
"We will partner with American Axle & Manufacturing to repurpose an existing facility, bringing a workforce back to an area where jobs in the automotive industry were recently lost," Waymo said in a blog post, according to Click On Detroit. "We’re thrilled to join Detroit’s vibrant community, helping to play a role in the future of the automotive industry in the city that started it all."
“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,” governor Gretchen Whitmer said to Click On Detroit. “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.”
“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 percent dedicated Level four autonomous vehicle factory anywhere. We deeply appreciate the confidence John Krafcik and the Waymo team are showing in the Motor City,'" Mayor Mike Duggan said.
