Los Angeles Rioters Trash, Burn Robotaxis
Read the full story on The Auto Wire
In case you haven't heard, there's been quite a bit of rioting in Los Angeles and Waymo robotaxis have become targets. This isn't the first time we've seen the driverless cars stopped and trashed by angry mobs, although in the past we've only seen it happen with maybe one or two.Instead, this seems to be at least several of the Jaguar I-PACEs bristling with pricey sensors. Now all of that is destroyed to make a political point. We wonder if Waymo will continue to operate in certain areas if this is how its vehicles are treated.
🚨 LINES OF CARS are now burning in the streets of Los Angeles, and police are LETTING IT HAPPENNOBODY IS SAFE.WE NEED MARINES, NOW! pic.twitter.com/JAFK0g6dnL
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 9, 2025
Other vehicles were also graffitied, trashed, and burned in the Los Angeles riots.
One video uploaded to X shows a man smashing the windows of an already graffitied autonomous taxi, using a bike lock to do the damage. Onlookers film the act while other robotaxis burn just a few hundred feet away.
🚨🚨BREAKING VIOLENCE: a Waymo has been lit on FIRE while several others are completely vandalized I am on the ground now FOLLOW FOR UPDATES | LA riots pic.twitter.com/CfEJMZFzA9
— Cam Higby | America First 🇺🇸 (@camhigby) June 9, 2025
We can only assume that one, after getting tagged and the glass busted out, was destined for a similar, fiery but mostly peaceful fate.
A videographer caught how at least one of the robotaxis was set on fire. One of the rioters put an American flag on the center console, then lit it on fire, we assume to let everyone know how much he hates the United States, taking out the vehicle with it.
BREAKING 🚨: Protestors light an American Flag on fire in an attempt to light another WayMo vehicle on fire.Still no police or firefighter response to the fires. Things are quickly escalating.Los Ángeles, CA pic.twitter.com/vbdwvwsqou
— Anthony (@AnthonyCabassa_) June 9, 2025
There are theories that the rioters hailed the Waymo robotaxis using the app on their phones, then destroyed them. We can't confirm if that's true or if the vehicles just happened to be in the area of the rioting.
What we do know is autonomous cars are often attacked and destroyed in riots. Theories about why that is run the range, from protestors seeing them as symbols of capitalism or the wealthy class.
JUST IN: Rioter holding a Mexican flag stands on a demolished Waymo car.'The streets in LA officially belong to the rioters.' - @camhigby.Insane.pic.twitter.com/NvncE8YgnL
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) June 9, 2025
We're not huge fans of autonomous taxis, but if people want to use them that's their business. Destroying them because you're not getting your way seems like toddler behavior to us.
People are asking why the police aren't stopping this. Well, the Los Angeles Police Department already put out a statement about the riots, saying they 'remained peaceful.' We guess if you ignore the problem, you don't have to solve it.
HAPPENING NOW 🚨: A protestor waves a Mexican Flag in front of a burning WayMo vehicle. Multiple vehicles have been destroyed, no police presence in this affected area.Los Angeles, CA pic.twitter.com/OmnUxY0dQS
— Anthony (@AnthonyCabassa_) June 9, 2025
There was an incident caught on camera of some California Highway Patrol officers caught under an overpass as rioters above pelted their cars and tried to hit officers with rocks, electric scooters, and other items.
🚨 #BREAKING: California Highway Patrol officers have now been cornered and are TRAPPED UNDER AN OVERPASS as vioIent insurrectionists launch rocks and expIosives at themLAPD is NOWHERE to be found.THESE GUYS NEED HELP, @realDonaldTrump! Newsom is leaving them to DlE! pic.twitter.com/ei2gCCr1Ul
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 9, 2025
One rioter even tried lighting the CHP cruisers on fire from the overpass. So that's where the police are while Waymo loses who knows who many robotaxis, along with all the other damage done to Los Angeles.
Police are trapped under an LA overpass and rioters are now lighting their police cars on fire from the bridge above them: pic.twitter.com/Al1R5qhwcU
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) June 9, 2025
It's not clear exactly how much one of these Waymo Jaguar I-PACEs cost the company. Estimates are that on top of the $72,000 MSRP there's about $130,000 to $150,000 in equipment added to the electric cars. Those are estimates, so the amount could be significantly higher, but we would be shocked if it were lower.
In other words, this is costing Waymo or the insurance company covering the robotaxis.
Image via X
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