[fanpuns]

If this is true (keeping in mind the source is an analyst who is relating conversation between other parties for which they were not involved), it might not necessarily be a negative for the freight market. If the contractors become territorial about which freight companies they will hire it will effectively reduce the supply available for both (once a freight company commits to one or the other) meaning Walmart/Amazon will each have to pay more essentially for "exclusivity".

[kissickas]

But higher prices would also encourage Amazon to invest more in automating their fleet, at which point the market will collapse.

[fanpuns]

If Amazon invests in their own self-driving fleet, the whole discussion is basically moot. If instead (and maybe more likely) there are a small number of carriers who have invested in big fleets of self-driving trucks and Walmart/Amazon blackballs any carrier who works with the other side they would still be limiting the supply side of the market and have to pay more.

[petra]

Money isn't the thing that prevents self-driving trucks from becoming a reality.