Rumor: Google, Ford Teaming Up on Self-Driving Cars

 
Google and Ford will reportedly work together to build self-driving cars.

According to Yahoo Autos, which cited anonymous sources, the partnership could be announced at CES next month, if everything falls into place. Automotive News has a similar report report, adding that both parties have been negotiating a deal "for a long time."

In teaming up, Ford, which just started testing autonomous vehicles in California, can tap into Google's software and self-driving car experience, while Google avoids spending money and time on building automotive manufacturing expertise, both publications noted.

The news comes after Philipp Justus, managing director for Google's central and eastern Europe division, announced in September that the company will not produce its own vehicles.
Google also has two former Ford executives among its ranks. Ex-Ford CEO Alan Mulally joined Google's board in July 2014; September saw the addition of John Krafcik as chief of Google's Self-Driving Car Project.

Further details of the rumored partnership have not been revealed, though Yahoo Autos said the deal is "understood to be non-exclusive," meaning Google could also work with other companies—many of which are also developing self-driving cars.

Google declined to comment on the speculation.

"We have been and will continue working with many companies and discussing a variety of subjects related to our Ford Smart Mobility plan," Ford told PCMag. "We keep these discussions private for obvious competitive reasons, and we do not comment on speculation."

The American automaker also has its eye on electric vehicles, last week announcing its largest five-year investment: a pledge to spend $4.5 billion and add 13 new EV models by 2020.