Ford Delays Commercial Autonomous Vehicle Service to 2022 Amid Pandemic
Ford postpones its planned autonomous vehicle service launch from 2021 to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The automaker reports a $2 billion first-quarter loss and plans to study shifting consumer behaviors before introducing the self-driving service.
Ford postpones its commercial autonomous vehicle service launch until 2022 as the COVID-19 pandemic forces the company to reevaluate its go-to-market strategy. The automaker shares this update alongside its first-quarter earnings report, which reveals a $2 billion loss compared to a $1.1 billion profit in the same period last year. Ford warns that financial losses will continue to widen in the second quarter as the global health crisis disrupts its core business operations.
Unlike other companies testing self-driving cars, Ford pursues two parallel tracks that were originally scheduled to merge before a 2021 commercial debut. Argo AI develops the virtual driver system and high-definition maps, while Ford separately tests potential business models through pilot programs with partners like Walmart, Domino's, and Postmates. Now, Ford pauses this timeline to study the long-term impacts of the pandemic on customer behaviors and mobility needs.
The automaker emphasizes that understanding these changing consumer habits is critical for building a trusted, safe, and user-friendly mobility service. Ford wants to ensure the final customer experience offers peace of mind regarding hygiene and safety inside the vehicles. This strategic shift follows broader changes in consumer behavior already seen in China, where Ford now completes one-third of its vehicle sales online.