Mexican Media Brands
Mercedes to Supply Self-Driving Cars to Uber
Under a new partnership, Daimler AG plans to provide Mercedes-Benz self-driving vehicles to Uber Technologies Inc.’s ride-hailing fleet.
Share
Under a new partnership, Daimler AG plans to provide Mercedes-Benz self-driving vehicles to Uber Technologies Inc.’s ride-hailing fleet.
Daimler will develop the autonomous technology used in the vehicles. No timetable or financial terms for the program were given.
Last year Uber announced a $300 million deal with Volvo Car Corp., which is supplying vehicles for Uber to retrofit with its own automated driving technology. Those vehicles are part of Uber’s test fleet in Arizona and Pennsylvania that also includes specially equipped Ford Fusion sedans.
Noting that Uber has no experience in making cars, CEO Travis Kalanick says partnerships with manufacturers such as Daimler will be critical for the Silicon Valley-based company’s success. Uber hopes to lower costs and improve efficiency with self-driving taxis.
Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche has met with Kalanick several times in recent years and once described him as a "frenemy." Zetsche says mobility service providers such as Uber are an ideal platform for autonomous driving technology.
RELATED CONTENT
-
GM Is Down with Diesels
General Motors is one company that is clearly embracing the diesel engine.
-
Multiple Choices for Light, High-Performance Chassis
How carbon fiber is utilized is as different as the vehicles on which it is used. From full carbon tubs to partial panels to welded steel tube sandwich structures, the only limitation is imagination.
-
Mustang Changes for 2018
On Tuesday Ford unveiled—using the social media channels of actor Dwayne Johnson (this has got to unnerve some of the auto buff book editors)—the 2018 Mustang, which has undergone some modifications: under the hood (the 3.7-liter V6 is giving way to a 2.3-liter EcoBoost four, and a 10-speed automatic is available), on the dash (a 12-inch, all-digital LCD screen is available for the dashboard), at the tires (12 wheel choices), on the chassis (MagneRide damper technology is being offered with the Mustang Performance Package), and on the exterior (three new paint colors). And while on the subject of the exterior, there are some notable changes—a lower, remodeled hood, repositioned hood vents, new upper and lower front grilles, LED front lights, revised LED taillamps, new rear bumper and fascia.
