FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne recently divulged that "he met with potential partners in California." On the other hand, Japanese car makers Toyota and Mazda are reportedly working on a partnership deal to share technology.
Marchionne was said to be in California, meeting Tim Cook, Elon Musk, and rode in a "Google self-driving car." He was reportedly impressed with Musk's accomplishments and said that he is eager about Apple's plan to get in the car industry. Macrchionne said before that he is "open to an alliance with Apple or Google," and also said that unification "would help cover development costs for advanced technologies, parts," and would also defray costs and raise profits.
CEO Elon Musk previously made Tesla patents open to all car makers. He said, "Tesla Motors was created to accelerate the advent of sustainable transport. If we clear a path to the creation of compelling electric vehicles, but then lay intellectual property landmines behind us to inhibit others, we are acting in a manner contrary to that goal. Tesla will not initiate patent lawsuits against anyone who, in good faith, wants to use our technology."
He also said that in making Tesla's patents available, their company, other electric car makers as well as the whole world would gain from this technology platform. Previously, Apple was reported to be working on a "self-driving electric car," and they are "exploring how to make an entire vehicle."
Tim Cook reportedly approved the venture over a year ago and gave VP Steve Zadesky the leadership role. Cook also gave Zadesky the go signal in creating a "1,000 person team" to make developments at a private facility a few miles from Apple's corporate headquarters in Cupertino.
The team was researching on robotics, metals, and materials that have connections in making a vehicle. The said Apple vehicle was codenamed "Titan."
On the other hand, Totoya and Mazda are exchanging car technologies. Toyota is reportedly considering giving hydrogen fuel-cell and plug-in-hybrid technology to Mazda, and Mazda to offer SkyActiv series gasoline and diesel engine technology to Toyota.
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