Uber to buy 24,000 driverless cars from Volvo

Uber is to buy thousands of self-driving vehicles from Volvo between 2019 and 2021.

Last year, Uber commenced testing prototypes made by Volvo in the US. The new non-exclusive agreement will see Volvo provide Uber with up to 24,000 of XC90 SUVs, which will serve as Uber’s autonomous driving-compatible base vehicles.

Volvo says the vehicles incorporate all the necessary safety, redundancy and core autonomous-driving technologies that are required for Uber to add its own self-driving technology.

“The automotive industry is being disrupted by technology, and Volvo Cars chooses to be an active part of that disruption,” said Håkan Samuelsson, president and chief executive of Volvo Cars. “Our aim is to be the supplier of choice for AD ride-sharing service providers globally. Today’s agreement with Uber is a primary example of that strategic direction.”

Jeff Miller, head of auto alliances at Uber, said: “This new agreement puts us on a path towards mass-produced self-driving vehicles at scale.”

Volvo is using the same base vehicle in the development of its own independent autonomous vehicle, which it plans to release in 2021.