Daimler, a subsidiary of automaker Mercedes-Benz is considering the possibility of establishing a joint venture with the American Corporation Apple. This was stated by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Daimler AG Dieter Zetsche in an interview to the official journal of the German exchange entrepreneurs Unternehmer.
According to him, there are “different types” of cooperation with Apple and Google, which can be done as automakers realize that the next generation cars can’t be built without much input from experts in the field of telecommunications and software. “Many things are possible,” said Zetsche.
The ability of the autopilot driving made the software a key component for creating cars of the future. “Google and Apple want to create system software for cars and enter the entire ecosystem around Apple and Google in the car. It can be fun for both parties,” said Zetsche.
One option that Daimler could be building cars with the help of digital technologies, their American partners, said Zetsche, adding that his opinion is “purely theoretical”. The company is even ready to agree to participate in a joint venture to produce cars, but the main condition is the involvement in the process of selling and servicing of finished products.
Chapter Daimler stressed that will not allow the company to be reduced to the role of supplier of silent, just producing cars for the giants of Silicon valley. “We don’t want to become contractors who no longer have direct communication with clients and deliver hardware to third parties,” said Zetsche.
“We see the impressive success of these firms in their areas and their financial power. Therefore, they can Express respect, but not freeze from fear”, he added.
