Report: Stellantis Abandons Level 3 Driving Technologies
Advanced driver aids like semi-autonomous driving assistance systems have landed with mixed reviews from vehicle owners, and one automaker is reportedly dialing back its efforts in the space to save cash. Sources told Reuters that Stellantis would nix its planned Level 3 driver-assistance technology due to high costs.
Earlier this year, Stellantis announced that its Level 3 system was nearing deployment. The automaker said drivers would be able to travel with their hands off the wheel and eyes off the road in limited situations, noting that they could even watch movies or read books behind the wheel.
Reuters’ sources said the program was canceled and would not be deployed, but said the AutoDrive program would underpin future safety systems. A representative told the publication that, “What was unveiled in February 2025 was L3 technology for which there is currently limited market demand, so this has not been launched, but the technology is available and ready to be deployed.”
Stellantis had wanted its software efforts to develop in-house, but that hasn’t been the case. It has leaned on partnerships to get the programs off the ground, but the costs involved present a significant risk that the automaker isn’t really prepared to absorb. It has struggled with slower sales and management issues in recent times, making its next moves even more crucial.
[Images: Stellantis]
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Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.
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Several years ago my crystal ball announced that L3 was too much of a legal mess for anyone to bother with it. The manufacturer is explicitly liable for any accidents, yet relies on the driver to take over if necessary.
Imagine when(if) there's millions of cars with "part time self-driving" abilities.
Old Fella driving in a store's parking lot, hits the gas (instead of Brake), drives through the windows of the Store and kills a family. Can't ya just blame it on the "automated car" malfunctioning? I'm sure there's some lawyers out there waiting for the day.
I guess by then there won't be any brick & Mortars left, so, maybe not. Replace "store" with "Amazon Warehouse".