Level 5 autonomy corner cases with GM Cruise Automation

[interestedinEV]

@Pushmi-Pullyu

Okay, but that doesn't say that vehicles sold by Via Motors are (or were) covered under a Chevy warranty. That just means Via Motors contracted with Chevy to get their modified vehicles serviced at authorized Chevy shops. It may well be that Via has (or previously had) to pay Chevy for some or all service there.

Here is the warranty on Via. Even though Via has made modifications, they have an agreement with GM that GM will provide partial warranty on the remaining components (I am not making it up, it is in their FAQs.)

https://www.viamotors.com/faq.html



So even a smaller company like Via has had leverage to negotiate a special arrangement for warranty work. (Bob Lutz is the Chairman of Via and that could have played a role in Via getting the favorable treatment). Nonetheless, why would Waymo not have leverage, especially when they money and technology to give back?

No matter what company Waymo picks to buy its fleet from, once it's done with its extensive aftermarket modifications, the normal warranty that comes with the car is going to be voided. That's inescapable, and arguing about it won't change that reality.

And no matter how much Jaguar "needs" the fleet purchase from Waymo, it's not going to agree to fix parts and assemblies which have been modified by Waymo, or have been subjected to use, wear, or stress beyond the car's originally engineered characteristics due to Waymo's modifications.

(A) Waymo simply accepts the fact that no matter what car it uses, the warranty will be voided as part of the modification process. Waymo accepts that as part of the cost of doing business.

(B) Since Waymo will be buying 20,000 I-Pace cars from Jaguar, it has used that as leverage to negotiate a special arrangement for warranty work; the cars will be given a special, non-standard, limited, partial warranty that covers certain parts of the car, parts which aren't affected by Waymo's modifications. Other parts of the car won't be covered by the special limited warranty.

 

[Pushmi-Pullyu]

So even a smaller company like Via has had leverage to negotiate a special arrangement for warranty work. (Bob Lutz is the Chairman of Via and that could have played a role in Via getting the favorable treatment). Nonetheless, why would Waymo not have leverage, especially when they money and technology to give back?

I concede the argument. You've presented some convincing evidence to support your scenario -- well done, sir! -- and I think we've beaten this particular subject to death pretty thoroughly.

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[interestedinEV]

I concede the argument. You've presented some convincing evidence to support your scenario -- well done, sir! -- and I think we've beaten this particular subject to death pretty thoroughly.

​

Yes, we have beaten this to death. And you made me do my homework. Time to move on