Data Security Drives Mercedes Bid for Mapping Company

Acquiring Nokia Corp.'s map business would allow carmakers to strengthen firewalls to prevent hackers from tapping into a vehicle's control systems, Daimler AG CEO Dieter Zetsche tells reporters.

Daimler's Mercedes-Benz unit is teaming up with rivals Audi and BMW in a bid for Nokia's Here digital mapping service. Other suitors include Apple, Google and Uber Technologies.

Zetsche says control of data security would be a key benefit of the pending acquisition, which is expected to be announced by the end of the month. If successful, he says, the German carmakers will design new safeguards into Here's software to better protect against hackers. Zetsche notes the group also could market the platform to other carmakers.

With the influx of telematics, smartphone interfaces and Internet connectivity, vehicle cyber security is becoming a top priority throughout the industry. Potential risks were underscored in a report earlier this week that detailed how a pair of security experts remotely took control of a Jeep Cherokee by wirelessly hacking into its electronics system.