Gatik and Loblaw Ink 5-year Expansion Deal to Scale AI-Powered Autonomous Trucking Solution Across Regional Distribution Networks in the Greater Toronto Area

Scaling Autonomous Trucking in Canada Through Strategic Growth 

Toronto, ON – September 23, 2025 – Gatik, the leader in autonomous freight for regional logistics networks, today announced a significant expansion of its commercial partnership with Loblaw Companies Limited (TSX:L) (“Loblaw”), Canada’s largest retailer. The companies have signed a first-of-its-kind, multi-year growth agreement. This agreement marks a milestone for the autonomous trucking industry. It will deploy Gatik’s autonomous fleet across Loblaw’s distribution network in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Under the initial phase of the expansion, Gatik will deploy 20 autonomous trucks equipped with its next generation sensor suite by the end of 2025. It will deploy a further 30 autonomous trucks by the end of 2026. This will create a scalable platform for future growth phases.

Largest Roll-Out of Autonomous Trucking in Canada

This growth agreement represents the largest planned roll-out of autonomous trucks in North America. It transitions Gatik and Loblaw from initial deployment to commercial operations at scale. It marks an industry-first in the autonomous vehicle (AV) sector. Gatik will initially deploy the expanded fleet with safety drivers onboard. The fleet will later transition to Freight-Only (driverless) operations across Loblaw’s regional distribution networks in the GTA. It will deliver goods with greater frequency and responsiveness to over 300 Loblaw stores. 

Investment Accelrates Autonomous Trucking in Canada

Under the expanded partnership, Loblaw has made a strategic investment in Gatik. This investment strengthens Loblaw’s commitment to scaling Gatik’s autonomous solution within its extensive supply chain. It also accelerates fleet expansion and geographic growth within Loblaw’s priority markets. Gatik and Loblaw previously made history in 2022 with the deployment of Canada’s first driverless commercial fleet.

Commercial Scale Marks a Milestone for Autonomous Trucking in Canada

“This is a transformational moment, not just for Gatik and Loblaw, but for the autonomous trucking sector globally,” said Gautam Narang, CEO and co-founder of Gatik. “A major retailer has transitioned from pilot to commercial scale with autonomous trucks for the first time. This transition directly addresses Canada’s growing driver shortage. It delivers the true benefits of autonomous logistics — reliability, safety, and scalability — to millions of Canadians. Loblaw’s investment strongly endorses our market-leading AI Driver™. Gatik’s purpose-built technology has logged extensive miles on public roads and maintained an exemplary safety record. This investment underscores our commitment to revolutionizing regional distribution through intelligent, autonomous solutions.”

“This expanded partnership with and investment in Gatik represents a significant step forward in our commitment to innovation and supply chain sustainability,” said Rob Wiebe, Chief Administrator of Loblaw Companies Limited. “Autonomous logistics will enable us to move more orders more frequently for our customers. We are excited to continue leading the way nationally in retail distribution with Gatik’s groundbreaking technology which has already been proven across our operations.”

Advancing Autonomous Trucking in Canada with Gatik Driver™

This expansion leverages Gatik’s proprietary Gatik Driver™, a safe, scalable & interpretable AI driver purpose built for autonomous trucks proven in real-world commercial operations. The new fleet will include cold-chain-ready vehicles. These vehicles are optimized for moving time-sensitive grocery and household items.

In preparation for Gatik’s multi-year expansion with Loblaw, Gatik worked closely with the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO). The company helped inform the development of the Automated Commercial Motor Vehicle (ACMV) Pilot Program. The province launched this new regulatory framework on Aug. 1, 2025. The program enables Gatik’s medium-duty (class 6-7) autonomous trucks to operate on all surface streets and highways in the province. With the ACMV Program now in effect, Gatik and Loblaw can continue to scale autonomous driving operations. The province carefully developed the ACMV Program to facilitate the safe and rapid roll-out of autonomous trucks in Ontario. This ensures that the province continues to lead nationally in transportation innovation.    

By focusing on high-frequency transportation networks within strategically defined, commercially dense areas, Gatik has developed a robust commercial solution that maximizes safety, scalability, and speed to market. Gatik’s regional network approach delivers real value today – moving goods, not people, with Freight-Only (driverless) operations underway in markets such as Texas, Ontario, Arkansas and Arizona.

About Loblaw Companies Limited (TSX:L)

Loblaw Companies Limited is Canada’s food and pharmacy leader and the nation’s largest retailer. Loblaw provides Canadians with grocery, pharmacy and healthcare services, other health and beauty products, apparel, general merchandise, financial services, and wireless mobile products and services. With more than 2,800 locations, Loblaw, its franchisees, and Associate-owners employ more than 200,000 full- and part-time employees, making it one of Canada’s largest private sector employers.