Waymo's commercial robotaxi service has expanded dramatically, now operating in 15 U.S. cities and delivering 500,000 paid rides weekly. But the growth is not evenly distributed: the vast majority of its roughly 4,000 vehicles are in California and Texas.
Texas has become the focal point. The fleet there has grown by 49% in the past three weeks, reaching 1,102 registered vehicles as of September 24. This surge is driven by the arrival of the Ojai, a modified Zeekr minivan built in China and equipped with Waymo's sixth-generation system.
The Ojai is intended to lower costs and help Waymo scale, but U.S. tariffs on Chinese-built vehicles are raising import costs. Despite that, Waymo appears committed, with shipping data suggesting 5,100 Ojai units will arrive by year-end, likely distributed to Texas, Florida, and newer markets like Las Vegas.