Fiat, Google to create self- driving Pacifica minivans

Partnership accelerates autonomous car program but will be limited to testing only

Vehicles will be used to expand tech company’s autonomous car testing program.

The next Google self- driving car you spot will be a minivan.

Google will collaborate with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to create 100 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrids with autonomous car tech, the CEOs of both entities told USA TODAY.

The Pacificas will be used to expand Google’s 7- year- old autonomous car testing program, and there is no talk of FCA production cars leveraging Google tech just yet.

John Krafcik, head of Google’s car project, says his company liked the “nimble and focused” nature of FCA’s engineering team as well as “the fact that they’re totally aligned with what we need to do at this stage, which is build more vehicles and

CHRYSLER PACIFICA BY WEBB BLAND

GETTY IMAGES Google says it has logged 1.5 million miles testing its autonomous cars with one at- fault accident.

GETTY IMAGES Fiat Chrysler’s Sergio Marchionne

AFP/ GETTY IMAGES Google’s John Krafcik