John Krafcik, CEO of Alphabet’s automotive vehicle division, and CEO of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles are in advanced stages of negotiations according to sources of The Wall Street Journal.
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John Krafcik, a former auto executive who heads Alphabet’s self-driving vehicle project, made a public pitch for partners in January at a conference in Detroit in January.
Fiat Chrysler (FCAU – Get Report) has been slow to enter the self-driving auto race.
Talks between Google and FCA began in 2013, according to one of the people familiar with the matter.
We know that Google has been developing self-driving cars for years, and we’ve heard rumors that, because they have little experience with manufacturing and designing automobiles, they’d like to pair up with an established vehicle company.
In fact, partnering with an established carmaker might be the quickest way for Google to get its technology out in the streets.
A Google Spokesperson also told the Verge that it does not “comment on rumor and speculation”, so the news is still not really verified just like news which was rumored before. “Google is always thinking in terms of ‘how do we maximize efficiency of private transportation.’ A bigger vehicle that can carry as many people as possible is a critical element to this”. The person asked not to be named because the discussions are private. “At the same time, tech companies are trying to understand how to transition from software, interface and personal device production into the much more complicated world of automotive manufacturing”.
Autoextremist points out that Fiat Chrysler is “by far” the least technically savvy company in the auto business but that may be exactly what Google is seeking.
“It proves how dynamic the industry is now”, he said.
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General Motors had a good first quarter too, reporting $2 billion in profit, and Italian-American automaker Fiat Chrysler made $540 million.
