Hyundai Eyes Silicon Valley Partnerships

Hyundai Motor Co. is evaluating potential partnerships with a variety of technology companies, including Google Inc. and other Silicon Valley firms, to help it develop next-generation vehicles and services, Bloomberg News reports.

In the past Hyundai has eschewed partnerships with outside suppliers and rival carmakers in favor of tapping the vast vertically integrated network of Hyundai Group affiliates. But the news agency says company officials have determined Hyundai now needs to pursue new relationships to keep pace with competitors in emerging advanced mobility products.

This includes talks with Google. Hyundai Motor President Jeong Jin Haeng notes that Hyundai and Google have many common areas that could lead to new collaborations. He didn’t elaborate on what types of projects are being considered or offer a timeline for a decision.

Google, which is openly seeking help from traditional carmakers for its self-driving car program, inked a deal with Fiat Chrysler earlier this year to collaborate on a fleet of 100 self-driving test vehicles. A partnership with Hyundai would seem to be a good fit in the wake of Google’s hiring of former Hyundai America CEO John Krafcik last fall to head its autonomous car program.

Hyundai also has been one of the leaders in offering smartphone connectivity—including Google’s Android Auto systems—in its vehicles.