Self-driving tech: Apple working with Hertz, Alphabet Chooses Avis
Apple is leasing cars from Hertz to test self-driving technology, Bloomberg reported on Monday, while Alphabet's self-driving car unit Waymo announced a similar partnership with Avis.
The iPhone maker is leasing Lexus RX450h sport-utility vehicles from Hertz's Donlen fleet-management unit, according to documents released recently by the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
Apple declined to comment.
The iPhone maker is concentrating on technology for self-driving cars, Chief Executive Tim Cook said earlier this month in an interview with Bloomberg.
Alphabet's Waymo announced a similar partnership with Avis Budget Group Inc, earlier on Monday, to offer fleet support and maintenance services for its fleet of autonomous vehicles.
Waymo and Avis said they will launch their partnership in Phoenix, Arizona, where Waymo is allowing selected members of the public take rides in self-driving cars, including modified Chrysler Pacifica minivans built by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV. Waymo has said it plans to expand its fleet of Chrysler minivans to about 600 vehicles.
Seperately, General Motors Co Chief Financial Officer Chuck Stevens on Monday told analysts during a conference call that the automaker has "done a lot of thinking" about how to manage its growing fleet of self-driving vehicles. But he said "it's early days on how that business model may play out." GM has a large network of franchised dealers that could provide fleet management services, as well as an alliance with Lyft and its own Maven car-sharing unit.