Featured Google working with FCA to create autonomous hybrid minivan prototypes.

oh my, googles in for a rude awakening. or maybe fca will learn something.

 

Interesting to see Chrysler being the minivan champion of hybrid/plug-in...may not even have to drive it. What's not to like?

 

Will the Pacifica minivan have an ignition switch????

 

nothing, except downtime at the dealership. hope they have donuts.

 

? What do you know that we don't?

I like the tesla approach better than the google approach, but both have some very smart people on sensors and software. Definitely better for google if the sensors are built into the car at the plant, then to retrofit. That will give them a better idea of cost and ease of operation. This sounds like Chrysler will pay for part of google's reaserach, but only a small part, in return for some access to its hardware thinking. That is a good deal all around. Maybe toyota should have reached out to google and struck a similar deal, but they have their own competeing R&D with google.

 

i have a lot of windshield time in chryslers and fiats. their engineering will make google look bad, unless google engineers can fix it for them. fca might wind up with a better car in the end.

 

This is about self driving. Google will work with chrysler engineers to put in the sensor hardware, motors, controls, computer hardware, etc for a polished hybrid minivan with safety sysems and self driving features. I don't think google will be working on the engine or chasis at all, but for the test I doubt the pacifica is a bad choice.

I'm sure fiat is doing it because they are far behind tesla in this technology, and if they can catch up it would give them a leg up in a segment on more traditional auto companies. Google's partnering with them because it can. Its a PITA to buy prii, then add all that stuff once its built. My guess is the team probably approached toyota, and toyota wasn't going to give them 100 car special with google integrated electronics.

 

They were the minivan pioneer. The hurdle was just getting them interested in doing a hybrid anything, but the rest were fine in waiting on them.

 

it won't look good for google when they're broken down on the side of the road. maybe they can make a self repairing car.

 

it's a race to the bottom. honestly, i don't know what google is thinking. apparently, no one there has ever driven a chrysler or fiat. which makes sense, actually.

 

agreed, they must have their reasons.

 

The electric Fiat 500 is a popular seller in California. Without the ICE, the reliability should improve. That's got to be why FCA's CEO doesn't want you buying it.

FCA might be down near the barrel(don't forget Mitsubishi), but everybody is better than they were 10 or 20 years ago.

FCA is the only company with plug in minivan or SUV in the US affordable to the majority.

 

is it available?

 

next year i'm guessing

 

thanks, what about mitsi?

 

No idea. The Outlander PHEV keeps getting pushed back for North America. I've lost track of what the last announcement said.