Multiple outlets—including Road & Track, Automotive News, FleetPoint, EVmagz, ArenaEV, Tesla North, and The Truth About Cars—are reporting that Stellantis has shelved its ambitious Level 3 AutoDrive program, a hands-free, eyes-off driving system unveiled earlier this year.
The decision underscores a broader trend: legacy automakers are pulling back on costly, high-risk autonomous vehicle projects, instead leaning more heavily on suppliers and acquired startups like aiMotive. Despite Stellantis’ claim that the tech is “ready to deploy,” sources say the rollout is not expected anytime soon.
Industry experts point to the enormous investment required to bring Level 3 autonomy to market, coupled with tepid consumer interest and liability challenges. Level 3 is significant because it shifts legal responsibility to automakers when the system is active, adding complexity to already expensive R&D.
“It’s high investment for high risk,” said Stuart Taylor, Chief Product Officer at software consultancy Envorso. “Automakers that go it alone absorb not just the initial development costs, but also the losses if customers aren’t willing to pay for it.”
Taylor also noted that automakers are rethinking their approach, recognizing they can’t “do it all alone” and are increasingly partnering with suppliers to reduce risk and accelerate innovation.
For Stellantis, this pause reflects a pivot in strategy under new CEO Antonio Filosa, prioritizing cost control and market alignment over headline-grabbing tech. The move may free up resources for electrification and core vehicle programs, but it risks leaving Stellantis behind competitors like Mercedes-Benz, which already offers a certified Level 3 system.
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