Sorry, Sergio - Google Has No Plans to Expand the Relationship
It looks like the fling between Google and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will end up being a brief affair.
Despite partnering with FCA to test autonomous technology on a fleet of Chrysler Pacifica Hybrids, the tech giant says it has no plans to take it further with the automaker, according to Reuters.
Really, it doesn’t mean anything, Google wants other companies to know. Just two self-driving Pacificas passing in the night.
“This is just FCA and Google building 100 cars together,” said John Krafcik, Google’s self-driving car chief executive, said yesterday.
The partnership was a big score for FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne, who was searching for a tech partner for a long time before Google came along. Now, Google claims it isn’t planning to build a self-driving car with FCA, nor will it share the technology with the automaker.
The 100 autonomous Pacificas undergoing testing? They won’t appear in anyone’s driveway once the trials are complete.
In its bid to bring autonomous technology to roadways everywhere, Google is still on the lookout for partners, Krafcik said.
“We have a responsibility to get this out there as soon as we can and really as soon as we have data that says we’re better than the current system of flawed human drivers,” Krafcik told Reuters.
The news could come as a blow for Marchionne, who recently speculated that the partnership with Google could be the “first phase” of their relationship. Though he said he’d be willing to stick with the tech company, Marchionne admitted to wanting to keep his options open.
More by Steph Willems
Comments
Join the conversation
Google thought it was using Sergio and found Sergio was using Google. They'll go through with the blind date, but won't exchange numbers or like each other on Facebook so they can see other people. That sort of thing temporarily stops questions from parents, but I'm not so sure about stock holders.
Google woke up the morning after and is ditching FCA post haste, restraining order to follow.
I never understood the excitement in the first place. Google wasn't making a new lightweight V8 that meets future EPA and emmission requirements. Google wasn't making a smaller pickup truck. Google wasn't improving FCA's nightmare-ish quality control. Google wasn't bring hybrid technology for when fuel prices start their rise. All Google was going to do was develop self driving cars.
BTSR is too butt hurt to post here.