Zeekr Evades US EV Tariffs by Supplying Robotaxi Platforms to Waymo

Chinese EV manufacturer Zeekr has established a strategic foothold in the U.S. autonomous-driving market by supplying purpose-built vehicle platforms to Waymo. This partnership allows Zeekr to enter the American market as an infrastructure provider rather than a consumer brand, bypassing the steep trade barriers currently blocking Chinese electric vehicles from showrooms.

Since 2024, Zeekr has shipped more than 3,200 CM1e platforms—also referred to as the 'Ojai'—to the United States to support Waymo's robotaxi fleet. The scale of the operation has accelerated recently, with over 2,600 of those units shipped during the 2025 and 2026 period. To comply with U.S. security regulations, Waymo does not import finished vehicles; instead, it integrates its own proprietary autonomous driving software and sensors into the Zeekr chassis at a dedicated facility in Mesa, Arizona.

The Tariff Loophole

This B2B arrangement emerges despite an aggressive U.S. trade environment. Total tariffs on China-built EVs can reach as high as 127.5%, a figure that includes a 100% Section 301 tariff, a 25% imported automobile tariff, and a 2.5% standard duty. Additionally, the U.S. has implemented strict security rules to prevent China-linked connectivity software from entering the market, with further restrictions slated for model year 2027.

By exporting "hardware-only" platforms, Zeekr avoids the branding and software restrictions that plague consumer-facing imports. Zhang Hong, a senior NEV industry expert at the China Automobile Dealers Association, notes that while tariffs can keep out consumer cars, they cannot block the real demand commercial fleets have for mature, low-cost, and customizable platforms.

Strategic Implications

This shift signals a pivot for Chinese EV firms, moving from direct-to-consumer sales to becoming the "manufacturing backbone" for Western tech companies. For Waymo, the arrangement provides a scalable way to expand its fleet without the overhead of developing a proprietary chassis from scratch. As Zhang Hong explains, this model allows China to provide the hardware while the U.S. controls the intelligent systems, ensuring each side retains the most critical part of their respective value chains.

What's Next

Industry observers are now watching whether other autonomous vehicle operators will adopt similar hardware-sourcing strategies to reduce capital expenditures. While the current model satisfies national security rules by keeping software and data control in U.S. hands, the long-term sustainability of these partnerships will depend on whether the U.S. government expands tariff regimes to include commercial vehicle platforms or introduces stricter rules on the origin of automotive chassis.