A recent report from Auto Extremist indicates that the self-driving car division of Google is close to inking a deal with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA).
Negotiations between the two parties started shortly after the Las Vegas CES conference in January. The deal "would offer advanced technology partnership" to the car manufacturer which is developing its own self- autonomous car.
According to the tech blog site, the Mountain View, CA-based company has been working on this technology for six years. However, both the FCA and Google declined to comment on the matter. "We don't comment on rumors and speculation," said a spokesperson for the tech giant.
The Operations CEO of Google's Self-Driving Cars, John Krafcik, is in the process of finalizing talks for the past three weeks, the blog site added. It was only in January that Krafcik was hired by the search giant from Truecar, an auto sales website. He was also formerly connected with Hyundai.
The talks between Google and FCA include the development of an autonomous version of Fiat's all-new Chrysler Pacifica minivan.
Fiat has lagged behind other global car makers in investing and supporting autonomous vehicles and alternative powertrains. This is in stark contrast to Google which has already built its own fleet of self-autonomous cars that have already driven around 1.3 million miles.
Auto Extremist have described the possible tie-up as "a puzzling development as FCA is the least technically savvy company in the car business by far." However, the blog site hinted that it might just be what Krafcik wants.
"Though the deal in the short term is said to include development of an autonomous version of FCA's new Pacifica minivan, it's the longer-term prospects that are of particular interest to Krafcik," stated the blog.
"It means that Google will have access to manufacturing capability and an existing dealer network for the distribution of its future vehicles, something the tech icon has clearly lacked," the blog added.
