The Cruise Origin is inching closer to reality as CEO Dan Ammann has revealed he’s been spending time at GM’s Pre-Production Operations center, where a team has started building the “first batch” of nearly one hundred pre-production prototypes.

The models are set to undergo an intensive testing and validation process this summer, and they’ll eventually be built in the “tens of thousands” at GM’s Factory Zero outside of Detroit.

Ammann said it’s an “incredibly exciting time for Cruise” and seeing pre-production prototypes up close is “absolutely thrilling.” The executive went on to say, “While I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished to date, I’m very much humbled by the fact that we’re really just approaching the starting line of what will be the transportation transformation of the century.”

Also Read: The Cruise Origin Is The Electric, Autonomous, Shareable Car Of The Future

Besides revealing pre-production is underway, Ammann noted hundreds of engineers from General Motors, Honda and Cruise “haven’t skipped a beat” and have “kept the Origin program on time and on track for production,” despite the challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

More importantly, the company announced a deal with GM Financial for a $5 (£3.5 / €4.1) billion line of credit so Cruise can “efficiently finance the expansion of our fleet as we scale up over the next few years.” Ammann said this bumps the company’s “war chest” to over $10 (£7.1 / €8.2) billion in total, which he says is necessary “when you think about what we’re building — safer, cleaner, and more accessible transportation for the world.”

As a refresher, the Cruise Origin is an autonomous shuttle that is designed to eliminate a number of problems related to traditional car ownership and ride-hailing services. It also aims to reduce congestion and pollution, while also being affordable enough that the “average San Franciscan household driving themselves or using ridesharing, will, on average, see up to $5,000 (£3,551 / €4,123) back in their pocket every year.”

Cruise hasn’t gone into many specifics, but the vehicle rides on GM’s Ultium platform and features a multi-layered sensor suite that is designed to track multiple people and objects. The vehicle is modular and upgradeable, and this means the Origin will improve over time. The model also boasts a lounge-like interior, which lacks a steering wheel and features two rows of seats that face each other.

 

Cruise Origin Goes Into Pre-Production, Nearly 100 Coming In “First Batch”
Cruise Origin Goes Into Pre-Production, Nearly 100 Coming In “First Batch”
Cruise Origin Goes Into Pre-Production, Nearly 100 Coming In “First Batch”
Cruise Origin Goes Into Pre-Production, Nearly 100 Coming In “First Batch”
Cruise Origin Goes Into Pre-Production, Nearly 100 Coming In “First Batch”
Cruise Origin Goes Into Pre-Production, Nearly 100 Coming In “First Batch”
Cruise Origin Goes Into Pre-Production, Nearly 100 Coming In “First Batch”
Cruise Origin Goes Into Pre-Production, Nearly 100 Coming In “First Batch”
Cruise Origin Goes Into Pre-Production, Nearly 100 Coming In “First Batch”
Cruise Origin Goes Into Pre-Production, Nearly 100 Coming In “First Batch”
Cruise Origin Goes Into Pre-Production, Nearly 100 Coming In “First Batch”
Cruise Origin Goes Into Pre-Production, Nearly 100 Coming In “First Batch”