Self- driving car partnership is set

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Google will work together to more than double the size of Google’s self- driving vehicle f leet by adding 100 Chrysler Pacifica minivans.

The companies announced the agreement Tuesday, saying Chrysler engineers would work with Google to install sensors and software so the vans can drive themselves.

The added vehicles are needed as Google expands real- world testing. Google says it will own the gas- electric hybrid vans, and it’s not licensing autonomous car technology to Fiat Chrysler or anyone else. Both companies are free to work with others as well. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. This is the first time Google has worked directly with an auto company on installing self- driving sensors and computers. The 100 newly redesigned minivans would be “uniquely built” for Google’s self- driving technology, Fiat Chrysler said in a statement.

“The opportunity to work closely with [ Fiat Chrysler] engineers will accelerate our efforts to develop a fully selfdriving car that will make our roads safer,” said John Krafcik, chief executive of Google’s project.

The agreement could give Fiat Chrysler an inside track to manufacturing vehicles for Google because its engineers would become experienced with what Google needs. But neither company would comment on possible future deals.

Google’s 7- year- old autonomous- car project, which is now part of the so- called X lab at Alphabet Inc., Google’s parent company in Mountain View, Calif., has 21 modified Lexus SUVs and 33 pod- like small cars.

Fiat Chrysler has manufacturing expertise and factories that Google lacks.