AutoNation Expands Partnership with Waymo

Vehicle retail giant AutoNation Inc. is extending its service agreement with Waymo LLC for another two years and will begin using Waymo self-driving vehicles to deliver parts to repair facilities.

AutoNation has been servicing Waymo’s fleet of automated Chrysler Pacifica hybrid minivans in California and Arizona for two years.

The new program also will deliver parts from AutoNation’s Toyota dealership in Tempe, Ariz., to nearby repair shops. Staff at the Tempe outlet can request a Waymo Pacifica, load the parts into the vehicle and send it to the repair facility.

The Tempe dealership also has periodically offered free consumer rides in the self-driving Pacificas—with a backup driver onboard.