A flurry of alliances between major car manufacturers and technology companies are reconfiguring the dispute to control the future of mobility.
The manufacturers have recognized the sharing of business and hitchhikers such as Uber, as potential loyal customers for their vehicles, especially hybrid and electric, according to an evaluation of automotive industry experts polled by Reuters.
the partnerships help expose the brands of cars to consumers who are not connected in this segment . Technology companies also commonly provide access to a world of data, with sophisticated means of analysis.
The Silicon Valley companies gain from investments in cash and with the help of engineers specialized in vehicles, and discounts for their drivers.
Recent partnerships
Toyota announced on Tuesday (23) that invest in Uber. The strategic alliance will begin with facilities for rental cars to drivers, but companies also plan to share knowledge and work together to accelerate research efforts.
Financial terms were not disclosed. The deal may help Toyota to maintain control over the vehicle share markets around the world and has the potential to help strengthen its position in China, which is behind Volkswagen and General Motors.
“Think about it in a Chinese context is important because this is probably the fastest growing market in the world. for Toyota, have a piece of the market would be significant, “said James Chao, head of Asia-Pacific for IHS Automotive.
GM invested this year $ 500 million in Lyft, main Uber rival in the uS, while Volkswagen also announced yesterday an investment of uS $ 300 million in Gett, a smaller company share.
the German car maker BMW announced on Wednesday (25) that its venture capital unit applied an undisclosed amount in the Californian company Technologies Scoop, who developed the vehicle sharing application.
Google
the technology giants are also eyeing on personal mobility. Google has a driverless car project in advanced testing phase and this month announced a partnership with Fiat Chrysler to supply 100 new vans that drive themselves.
Google began testing its technology to these vehicles in 2009, with the Toyota models. Currently, its fleet comprises 70 vehicles from Lexus, which have been modified as well as some prototypes developed independently by the company.
The Alphabet unit joined Ford, Volvo, Lyft and Uber to speed input autonomous cars on the market. The group said in a statement that “work with lawmakers, regulators and the public to make real security and social benefits of autonomous vehicles.”
Apple
The Valley Silicon also has speculated about Apple’s plan to build an electric car. Now, the company appears to be preparing the ground for infrastructure and software related to food such a product.
Apple is researching how to charge electric cars, looking for companies charging stations and hiring engineers with experience in the field, according to people familiar with the subject and an analysis of LinkedIn profiles, says Reuters
the move shows how Apple is responding to a key gap of electric vehicles:. charge batteries. The lack of public charging stations and the time taken to refuel a car could be an opportunity for Apple.
Apple, which never publicly acknowledged a car project, declined to comment. Neither LinkedIn profiles or sources specifically said that Apple was building charging stations for electric cars.
But industry sources last year told Reuters that Apple was considering an electric vehicle without a driver, with the company looking for new sources of revenue before a maturing market for your iPhone.
it is not clear if Apple would want its own proprietary technology, such as the Tesla charging network, or design a system compatible with the other competitors in the market.
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