Waymo has secured a $5 billion loan from Blackstone and PIMCO to support the expansion of its robotaxi business. The financing marks the first time the Alphabet-owned autonomous driving company has turned to debt rather than relying solely on equity capital.
The move introduces a new financing tool for Waymo as it seeks to grow its commercial autonomous ride-hailing operations. Details including the loan’s terms and structure were not disclosed in the information provided.
Debt financing can allow a company to fund capital-intensive expansion without issuing new equity, though it also creates repayment obligations. For robotaxi operators, scaling requires substantial investment in vehicles, sensors, computing infrastructure and operational capacity.
The transaction brings two major investment firms into Waymo’s funding plans. TechCrunch reported that the $5 billion loan is intended to fuel the company’s robotaxi expansion.