BMW and Daimler to collaborate on developing self-driving cars

The two German car manufacturers BMW and Daimler are in talks about entering into an intensive cooperation, including in the field of technology for self-driving cars. At least that’s what a German newspaper says based on sources.

The German newspaper Handelsblatt states, based on sources from both companies, that talks are underway between the two companies, with the heart of the talks centering on closer cooperation on autonomous driving cars.

There would also be talk of a joint approach to obtaining battery cells for electric and hybrid cars. Those batteries should in any case come from the Chinese company CATL. This company is already building a factory in the German state of Thuringia, in order to fulfill a large order from BMW.

The talks would also focus on closer cooperation in the release of today’s smaller car models, with, for example, the BMW 1 Series and Mercedes A-Class eventually being based on a common platform.

The goal of the entire partnership would be to achieve billions in savings and a common industry standard for self-driving cars. Daimler, the company behind the Mercedes-Benz vehicles, and BMW do not deny that talks are underway, although the two manufacturers do not want to say anything about the content of the talks.