With the recent push towards developing the technology for autonomous vehicles, Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne announced today FCA’s decision to move forward with a joint-venture project in conjunction with Google. This project would involve allowing Google to use 100 of the new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrid minivans to serve as test mules in the development of an autonomous vehicle. CEO Marchionne said FCA is “exploring with people who are willing to explore with us, to allow us into their world, into what that outcome will look like.” While many details are yet to be worked out including who will have ownership rights to the data generated by the project, Marchionne feels confident in his decision to push forward with the project. With many eyes towards the future in the automotive industry, this preemptive decision holds important future implications for the future of autonomous vehicles from the “Big Three” domestic automakers.
Source: http://www.autonews.com/article/20160506/OEM06/160509907/marchionne-says-fca-google-deal-on-pacifica-is-first-phase-of
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