The writer, a Los Angeles freelancer and former Detroit News business reporter, writes a blog, Starkman Approved .

By Eric Starkman

Say one thing for Google: launching Waymo’s robotaxis in Detroit shows a level of corporate chutzpah that borders on contempt. It embarrasses GM CEO Mary Barra in her own backyard and further diminishes Detroit’s identity as America’s automotive capital.

Waymo has come into its own, no small thanks to GM’s Barra, who last year shuttered GM’s Cruise subsidiary that many once considered ahead of Waymo. Barra, who manages GM for Wall Street and lacks the conviction to follow through on her much touted zero emissions vision, abruptly closed Cruise because she said the business wasn’t “core” to GM and offered no near-term payoff.

Bloomberg in 2022

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