Stellantis will not be making self-driving cars despite unveiling AutoDrive technology this year
Published on Sep 02, 2025 at 2:01 AM (UTC+4)
by Jack Marsh
Last updated on Sep 01, 2025 at 4:01 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
Despite unveiling AutoDrive technology earlier this year, Stellantis is reportedly set to bypass the path set by Waymo and Tesla, and is said to be ruling out the development of self-driving cars.
Autonomous cars are on the rise.
But is the futuristic tech-reliant trend reaching a plateau?
Having seen the reaction to Tesla and Waymo’s full self-driving tech, Stellantis has now slammed on the brakes, shelving its own program amid public reservations.
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Stellantis halts progress on self-driving cars
Early reactions to self-driving cars have been rather positive. Aside from a few hiccups, the autonomous modes in cars like Tesla have been well-received.
But car experts from other companies have echoed the public in voicing their concerns, such as Ford CEO Jim Farley, who claimed non-LiDAR systems are a huge risk.
Now, Stellantis has reportedly joined that skeptical group, pausing its development of self-driving cars and its AutoDrive Level 3 system.
The parent company of Alfa Romeo, Dodge, and more iconic brands, cited ‘high costs, technological challenges and concerns about consumer appetite,’ as the reason behind its autonomous skepticism, according to Reuters.
The AutoDrive system was set to deploy this year, after being unveiled in February.
“What was unveiled in February 2025 was L3 technology for which there is currently limited market demand, so this has not been launched,” a spokesperson told Reuters.
Americans reportedly ‘afraid’ of autonomous cars
Despite reports that self-driving cars are ‘safer’ than human-driven vehicles, a recent study has proven that Americans are still wary of handing over the controls.
As of February this year, just 13 percent of drivers in the United States trust self-driving vehicles, with 60 percent of people claiming to be ‘afraid’ of riding in them.
The Reuters report suggested that the Stellantis software is still viable and could be picked up in the future, but in the meantime, it’s all hands on the wheel.
Still, there are a number of exciting projects lined up in the various brands under the Stellantis ownership.
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Jack Marsh is a journalist who started his media career after graduating with a degree in Journalism from the University of Chester. As an avid supercar and racing enthusiast, he has a passion for everything from Formula 1 to NASCAR. Whether it's highlighting the intricacies of McLaren’s anti-dive suspension revelations or recognizing celebrities’ multi-million-dollar rides, he has a keen eye for the faster things in life.
