Google, Fiat Chrysler to collaborate on self-driving minivans

Alphabet's Google Self-Driving Car Project has teamed with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to work directly for the first time with an automaker on developing autonomous vehicles. Under a deal announced Tuesday, Google said it plans to more than double its fleet of self-driving vehicles with the addition initially of about 100 new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans. The Internet company said it hopes that the first few minivans will be on the road by year end. In a market that was increasingly appearing as one in which Google and other tech companies would take on the traditional automakers, the deal between Google and FCA involves a collaboration between engineering teams that Google said "will help both teams better understand how to create a fully self-driving car that can take you from A to B with the touch of a button." Google did not disclose the financial terms of the deal or whether it could lead to a long-term partnership.