Report: Toyota, Uber Mull Expanded Partnership on Self-Driving Cars

Toyota Motor Corp. is talking with Uber Technologies Inc. about using the ride-hailing company’s autonomous vehicle technology in future Toyota models in the U.S., The Nikkei reports.

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi met with Toyota executives in the U.S. this week to discuss the program, according to the newspaper, which doesn’t cite its sources. One potential application said to be under consideration would be to use Uber’s automated driving technology in an upcoming Toyota minivan.

Toyota declined to comment on the report other than to say it is in regular contact with Uber as part of the companies’ existing partnership.

Toyota made an unspecified investment in Uber in 2016. At that time, the carmaker said it would partner with Uber on ride-hailing services and to develop new features and mobility programs.

Toyota, which is developing its own automated driving systems, also formed a consortium with Uber and other partners in January. The companies are working to develop applications for the e-Palette self-driving shuttle concept Toyota unveiled at the CES electronics show in Las Vegas.

Uber has been testing its autonomous vehicle technology for several years. The company has partnerships with several carmakers, including Daimler and Volvo Cars.