We Hear: VW Seeks New Partnerships, But Not with Google or Apple

As automakers start offering ride sharing services and more ways for consumers to connect to their vehicles, Volkswagen now wants a piece of the pie. According to a new report, VW is seeking partners to help expand its reach, but isn’t currently talking to Apple or Google.

“The era in which our sector kept itself apart from everything is now over,” VW Group CEO Matthias Mueller said in Germany last week, reports Automotive News Europe.

The CEO said VW is in “advanced stage” discussions with partners in the area of future mobility services, but he refused to name which companies. Apple and Google aren’t on the list, he noted.

VW already has a foot in the door. The automaker has teamed up with software developer Pivotal on mobility services. Last November, the automaker hired former Apple exec Johann Jungwirth to lead VW’s new digital strategy division. Before joining VW, Jungwirth had ties to Mercedes-Benz’s Silicon Valley unit and Apple’s secretive Project Titan.

Rumor has it that Fiat Chrysler is close to clinching a deal with Google. The partnership may involve FCA supplying vehicles for Google to test out its self-driving technology.

Meanwhile, automakers are slowly beginning to think of cars as mobility service providers. BMW launched its ReachNow car sharing service that charges drivers for cars by the minute. Meanwhile, General Motors has announced a new car sharing platform under the Maven label. FordPass is targeting a wide range of solutions to help people get around town, including smart parking reservations and bike rentals.

Source: Automotive News Europe (Subscription Required)

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