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Alphabet ’s ( GOOGL ) Google and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles ( FCAU ) have inked a deal to collaborate, with Fiat Chrysler putting Google’s self-driving car technology into 100 of its Pacifica minivans, the companies announced Tuesday afternoon. The Google Self-Driving Car Project and FCA called it a first-of-its-kind collaboration that will expand Google’s existing self-driving test program. This marks the first time that Google has worked directly with an automaker to integrate its self-driving system, including its sensors and software, into a passenger vehicle, the companies said. The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans will be used later this year for Google’s self-driving testing, more than doubling Google’s current fleet of self-driving test vehicles, according to the press release. The said both companies will co-locate part of their engineering teams at a facility in southeastern Michigan to accelerate the design, testing and manufacturing of the self-driving Chrysler Pacifica. The agreement, reportedly non-exclusive, had been expected. Speculation over a Google-Fiat Chrysler deal had surfaced late last month. Google had earlier been in negotiations with General Motors ( GM ), but those talks reportedly stalled. GM has invested in Lyft as part of an alliance that involves autonomous efforts with the ride-hailing service. Other companies in the autonomous car race include Tesla Motors ( TSLA ), Apple ( AAPL ), Toyota ( TM ) and Ford ( F ). Apple has yet to confirm any car plans, though its intentions are seen as an open secret. In April, the company hired Chris Porritt, who had been Tesla’s vice president of vehicle engineering. He will work on Titan, Apple’s car project, say reports. A German newspaper last month said a potential Apple partner is Magna Steyr, the world’s largest contract automaker. Scalper1 News
Scalper1 News