BMW to Double Self-Driving Car Testing Fleet

Despite the death of a pedestrian by a self-driving car in Tempe, AZ, BMW will not change its emphasis on researching and producing self-driving vehicles. Already there are observers blaming the Tempe incident on the negligence of the victim, giving BMW and other developers a rationale for staying the course in R&D for a reputable…

This story was produced through MarketScale. See how Transportation teams put it to work with Partner & Channel Enablement.

March 21, 2018, 7:35 PM UTC

BMW to Double Self-Driving Car Testing Fleet

Despite the death of a pedestrian by a self-driving car in Tempe, AZ, BMW will not change its emphasis on researching and producing self-driving vehicles.

Already there are observers blaming the Tempe incident on the negligence of the victim, giving BMW and other developers a rationale for staying the course in R&D for a reputable self-driving vehicle. BMW is set to double the size of its testing fleet to about 80 vehicles in 2018.

Nevertheless, the company still does not plan to launch its vehicle until 2021, believing that the software applications for a self-driving car are still not at the critical standard required to safely process the massive amount of information needed to keep the vehicle efficient and safe.

Yet on the other hand, BMW feels that a budding new era with fleets of self-driving autonomous cars will eventually replace the ride-hailing and car-sharing apps that consumers currently use in the U.S and around the world.

BMW compares the self-driving car venture with a mission to Mars, and that speaks to the seriousness of their R&D effort.

You just read one expert. Imagine publishing your whole team.

This article was produced through MarketScale. Create a free workspace and turn your own team's expertise into articles, video, and social posts. No credit card, no demo required.

Start free Book a demo

NPS +73 · 1,000+ creators · 38+ countries

What you get, free

Your own MarketScale Studio workspace

One video edit a month, on us

AI writing, editing, and publishing tools

In-platform coaching to learn the system

More Transportation Insights

FedEx sells supply chain unit to CMA CGM for $1.4B, nearly tripling CEVA's North American footprint

FedEx is selling its contract logistics division to CMA CGM for $1.4 billion. This transaction is part of FedEx's strategy to hone its core strengths in parcel and freight delivery. The acquisition will significantly enhance CEVA Logistics' footprint in North America.

01FedEx sells its supply chain unit for $1.4 billion.
02CMA CGM aims to expand CEVA Logistics' presence in North America.
03The deal aligns with FedEx's focus on parcel and freight delivery.

Jul 3, 2026

ITS Logistics flags record freight costs, capacity crunch, and fraud risk in mid-2026 market reports

ITS Logistics has released market reports indicating an increase in transportation costs and challenges in capacity management anticipated for 2026. The reports also highlight associated risks such as increased fraud in the logistics industry. ITS Logistics continues to actively monitor these developments through various market analyses.

01Record freight costs are anticipated to rise by mid-2026.
02Capacity management pressures are prevalent in the logistics industry.
03Increased risk of fraud is a growing concern for transportation companies.

Jul 2, 2026

Autonomous trucks, warehouse robots, and drones converge as supply chain automation accelerates

PepsiCo is operating 35 autonomous trucks commercially, while Volvo plans to achieve full automation by the first quarter of 2027. Amazon is introducing a new warehouse robot, marking a significant trend in supply chain automation with increased use of autonomous trucks, warehouse robots, and drones.