📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Oleg Yunakov
Automobile
Investor Jason Calacanis Says Waymo May Acquire Lucid or Rivian, Labels Chinese Car Optics ‘Really Bad’
✍️ Asianet Newsable
🗓 20 Oct 2026, 08:46 PM
👁 11
Early Uber backer Jason Calacanis predicts Alphabet’s Waymo could buy electric‑car makers Lucid or Rivian and dismisses the quality of Chinese‑made car optics as very poor.
Jason Calacanis, an early investor in Uber and a noted tech commentator, told Asianet Newsable that Waymo, Alphabet’s autonomous‑driving subsidiary, is likely to look at acquiring a premium electric‑vehicle maker. He singled out Lucid Motors and Rivian as potential targets, suggesting that a deal could accelerate Waymo’s entry into the luxury EV market.
Calacanis also criticized the visual components used in many Chinese‑manufactured cars, describing the optics as "really bad" and implying they fall short of the standards expected by Western consumers. His remarks come amid growing scrutiny of Chinese automotive parts quality as global automakers expand their supply chains.
While no official statements have been released by Waymo, Lucid or Rivian, the speculation reflects broader industry trends where autonomous‑driving firms seek to combine self‑driving technology with established EV brands to broaden their market reach.
Analysts note that any acquisition would require regulatory clearance and significant capital, but Calacanis believes the strategic fit could outweigh the challenges, especially as competition intensifies in the autonomous‑vehicle space.
Calacanis also criticized the visual components used in many Chinese‑manufactured cars, describing the optics as "really bad" and implying they fall short of the standards expected by Western consumers. His remarks come amid growing scrutiny of Chinese automotive parts quality as global automakers expand their supply chains.
While no official statements have been released by Waymo, Lucid or Rivian, the speculation reflects broader industry trends where autonomous‑driving firms seek to combine self‑driving technology with established EV brands to broaden their market reach.
Analysts note that any acquisition would require regulatory clearance and significant capital, but Calacanis believes the strategic fit could outweigh the challenges, especially as competition intensifies in the autonomous‑vehicle space.