Americans Trust Tech Firms Over Automakers to Program Self-Driving Cars
When it comes to the brain inside a self-driving car, Americans would rather it be stamped with an Apple logo than a Ford blue oval.
Of the 1,500 people surveyed by consulting firm AlixPartners, 73 percent of them want to have a vehicle which does all the driving, yet 41 percent say that they would trust that car more if it is programmed by one of the major technology companies. 26 percent of respondents said they would prefer their self-driving car from a Japanese automaker, while 17 percent would go to a Detroit company.
SEE ALSO: Google, FCA Deal No Deeper than 100 Self-Driving Pacificas
When it comes to assembling the nuts and bolts of automobiles however, those surveyed trust Ford, General Motors and Chrysler the most.
“People want the traditional automakers to be the brawn, building these cars, and they want tech firms to be the brains of the cars,” said Mark Wakefield, head of the Americas automotive practice at AlixPartners.
So far, the tie-up between Google and FCA is the largest between an automaker and a major technology company, though it is limited to FCA building a small fleet of minivans for Google. Whether or not it will go deeper than that still remains to be seen.
Stephen covers all of the day-to-day events of the industry as the News Editor at AutoGuide, along with being the AG truck expert. His truck knowledge comes from working long days on the woodlot with pickups and driving straight trucks professionally. When not at his desk, Steve can be found playing his bass or riding his snowmobile or Sea-Doo. Find Stephen on <A title="@Selmer07 on Twitter" href="http://www.twitter.com/selmer07">Twitter</A> and <A title="Stephen on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/117833131531784822251?rel=author">Google+</A>
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