Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is hopeful that its partnership with Google to manufacture nearly 100 prototypes of self-driving minivans is just the precursor to the beginning of a long-term relationship. The former is optimistic that the collaboration would aid it in bypassing other leading automakers in the competitive autonomous car market.
On May 3, FCA and Google announced their partnership, as reported by Tech Times. Thanks to the deal, the automaker will be building 100 autonomous Pacifica minivans with Google's assistance. These self-driving minivans are anticipated to hit the road before 2016 draws to a close.
Now, FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne has revealed that the said deal with Google is not only "very targeted," but also limited in terms of scope. Marchionne also let on that since Google has been in the self-driving car space for nearly seven years, it has more influence when it comes to negotiations when compared to FCA or any other rival automaker for that matter. This is also made possible by Google's market value and profits in the autonomous vehicle space.
The FCA CEO, however, is optimistic that the initial deal with Google could potentially be the forerunner of a full-fledged long-term partnership between the two. Marchionne believes that Google's expertise in the area could help the company in expanding its know-how in autonomous tech as well.
"We are approaching this in a completely open-ended fashion. They found it easy to work with us and to explore and learn. Whether this is enough for them to feel comfortable to take the next step is unclear to me," said Marchionne.
The first few steps essentially involve putting in Google's self-driving car technology into its minivans. The goal has a defined time window and the FCA is working to achieve the same in a focused manner.
It is only after this stage is completed that the future of the partnership will be decided as hinted by Marchionne. He disclosed that the collaboration needs to reach a point where the vehicle becomes "viable" so that the two companies can deliberate on the "spoils of that work." This process, according to the CEO, could take some time.
For those wondering what the prototype Chrysler Pacifica minivans made for Google will look like - they will be "physically different" from the traditional models once Google has installed its autonomous car technology and necessary sensors.
"Take a look at the Google car, and then just imagine that in a minivan, whatever that looks like," noted Marchionne.
Since the initial deal between the two companies is not exclusive and does not bar them from working with other automakers, it will be interesting to see how the future of the collaboration pans out.
