Alphabet, Fiat Chrysler working toward self-driving car tie-up - report
Google parent Alphabet may soon have a major ally in its push toward autonomous vehicles, as the company is said to be "in the late stage of talks" with London-based Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.
There is no word on exactly what the deal might entail, but it is unlikely to include Google-branded vehicles, according to the Wall Street Journal. The company would instead sell its self-driving car technology to FCA.
Google executives have repeatedly signaled their firm's unwillingness to become a carmaker itself. The few vehicles Google has produced in house are testbeds and technology demonstrators, not precursors to a Google Car.
FCA is one of a number of stalwart auto companies that are working toward broader technology partnerships.
Earlier Thursday, Volkswagen -- the largest car manufacturer in the world -- denied reports that it was itself in talks with Google or Apple for Volkswagen's new "digital mobility platform." The German company is more likely to work with domestic rivals Mercedes or BMW, both of whom have also acted coolly toward California firms.
There is no word on exactly what the deal might entail, but it is unlikely to include Google-branded vehicles, according to the Wall Street Journal. The company would instead sell its self-driving car technology to FCA.
Google executives have repeatedly signaled their firm's unwillingness to become a carmaker itself. The few vehicles Google has produced in house are testbeds and technology demonstrators, not precursors to a Google Car.
FCA is one of a number of stalwart auto companies that are working toward broader technology partnerships.
Earlier Thursday, Volkswagen -- the largest car manufacturer in the world -- denied reports that it was itself in talks with Google or Apple for Volkswagen's new "digital mobility platform." The German company is more likely to work with domestic rivals Mercedes or BMW, both of whom have also acted coolly toward California firms.
Comments
It pisses me off to think of the money they are sinking in these projects, meanwhile they can't even rollout CarPlay.
Have you seen how they drive there.
And trust the VW engineering team with your life?
As if !!!
But there would have to be an OFF switch.
Cook needs to get past his obvious full-on social agenda or take it some where else. Social agendas work both ways - just ask North Carolina.
When products lag - and the rumor mill isn't even running, shareholders are taking a hit - after buy-backs to prop up the price and an obvious flattening out of products - both software and hardware, it is time to make the hard decisions. And don't give me the Apple Car thing - unless it hovers!
Problem is... where the hell is the next person that can take the most innovative ship in the world and get it back on course?
I would hope it would be inside Apple, but I don't see it.
Two cheers for Tim standing up to the FBI... end of the story. Next.