FCA, Google Near Deal on Self-Driving Technology?

Alphabet Inc.’s Google autonomous car program and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV are in advanced talks about launching a technology partnership that targets the commercialization of self-driving vehicles, according to multiple media reports.

Sources tell Bloomberg News says the talks began in 2013 and could lead to an announcement as soon as today.

FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne told investors earlier this week he hoped to be able to announce a deal with an unnamed technology company sometime this year. He also said previously that FCA would be interested in a venture in which the company built vehicles that contained self-driving technology developed by a partner.

A Bloomberg source speculates the arrangement could allow Google to own both the self-driving system and the data it generates. If such a scenario proves correct, FCA would become a contract vehicle manufacturer for Google. The arrangement would give the carmaker an inexpensive way to get into the autonomous vehicle race and save Google the cost of producing its own cars.

One of Bloomberg’s sources says the impending deal will start with Google-supplied self-driving features for FCA’s new and completely redesigned Pacifica minivan.