Ford Motor Co. and Google are in talks to have the automaker build Google’s next-generation autonomous cars under contract, Automotive News has learned.
Although few details about the project are known, a source with knowledge of the project says both parties have been negotiating on a contract manufacturing deal “for a long time.” An announcement, if finalized, could come as early as the week of Jan. 4 during the annual International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
A Google spokesman said the company would not comment on speculation. But Google officials confirmed that the company is talking to automakers.
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Ford’s Washington said recently that he expects fully autonomous vehicles to be ready within four years.
Having Ford build Google’s test fleet would save the Silicon Valley tech giant years and billions in development costs. The Ford-built vehicles would use the automaker’s production-ready powertrain as well as safety and emissions components.
