Hyperdrive

Waymo Buys ‘Thousands’ More Chrysler Vans for Driverless Service

  • Deal marks third purchase round between two companies
  • Alphabet car unit set to launch commercial service in 2018

Race To Build Self-Driving Cars Accelerates

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At some point this year, Alphabet Inc.’s Waymo plans to roll out a ride-hailing service using driverless cars. It just bought more vehicles to make that happen.

The car unit of Google’s parent has finalized a deal to purchase “thousands” more minivans from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV equipped for autonomous driving, according to a statement from the companies. It’s the third such deal between the Italian-American carmaker and the search giant: Waymo scored 100 Chrysler hybrid minivans in 2016 and another 500 last year.