Just last week, we had heard that Google and Fiat Chrysler were in “late stage talks” about working out a partnership where the two could build some self-driving cars. Now Google already has the technology available, and have been testing it for a few years – and have driven over a million miles with these self-driving cars. However, Google has been looking to partner with a car maker, seeing as Google hasn’t mass-produced a car before, they wanted someone with experience. That’s where Chrysler would come into play.
Now there’s a report coming out of Bloomberg this morning that the two companies could be putting Google’s autonomous driving technology into some prototypes of the upcoming Pacifica minivan. The publication stated that Fiat Chrysler is looking to equip their Pacifica with the technology. This Pacifica is said to be available as a plug-in hybrid model, and will be available later this year. According to their sources, both companies would still be able to work with other partners in driverless technology. Which means Google could still work with Ford, as was also rumored a few months ago.
Google has reportedly also talked with General Motors, the other of the big three auto makers in the US. However the report notes that the talks with General Motors broke down after the two sides disagreed with who would own the autonomous driving technology and the data that goes into it and is collected with these vehicles. There was no further comment on a possible partnership with Ford. It was also noted that the partnership with Fiat Chrysler could be signed as soon as today. Keep in mind that Google also stated last week, in a report with CNBC that their self-driving car is just about ready to graduate from X – another division within Alphabet. Which would mean that these self-driving are going to need to bring in revenue somehow. Working with Chrysler and perhaps Ford, could do just that for Alphabet.
So far nothing has been confirmed, but it’s looking likely that we’ll be hearing more about this partnership very soon. And possibly the formation of Google Auto or something similar, under the Alphabet umbrella for autonomous vehicles.