Fiat Chrysler likely to produce first autonomous car with Google

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is reportedly closing in on a deal with Google owner Alphabet to secure a technology partnership.

Reports from multiple sources, including Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal, have suggested that the deal could result in Fiat Chrysler production models from brands such as Jeep, Alfa Romeo and Maserati using autonomous technology developed by Google.

The American technology giant is widely acknowledged as being at the forefront of autonomous systems development, so this deal could help FCA produce one of the world’s first autonomous vehicles.

It is thought the cars will be developed by FCA to incorporate Google’s tech, which could be sold as an off-the-shelf product to other brands as well, much in the same way Apple already supplies its CarPlay software to a large number of car makers.

Autocar UK contacted Fiat for an official response to the reports, but the car maker has so far declined to comment.

Alphabet has previously held talks with General Motors, but that deal reportedly came to a close after the two brands couldn’t agree who would legally own the software data. Ford also held talks with Google last year, but nothing official has been announced since.

Earlier this week Google joined forces with four other brands including Ford and Uber to encourage governments to create legislation to help with the introduction of autonomous cars.

Also read: More than half of cars sold in the UK have autonomous tech