Acquisition could lead to the mapping solution becoming an international open platform for most carmakers.
Targeting the future of the automotive industry, Audi, BMW and Daimler have agreed to pay $2.7 billion to acquire Nokia’s mapping service Here.
The three auto makers have decided in principle to close the deal, and plan to open Here’s services to other manufactures including Ford, Renault and PSA Peugot Citroën, people familiar with the matter told the WSJ.
One person told the paper: "The goal has always been to run the service as an open platform for everyone.
"The final signing could take place in the next few days."
Nokia announced its intention to sell the service in April, after being acquired by Alcatel-Lucent. The company’s CEO said last month that the firm intends to go back to the mobile phone market.
Uber has also shown interest in buying Nokia Here. The company sought to invest $3 billion to improve its taxi services, according to the NYT.
Rivals TomTom and Bosch yesterday signed a partnership to improve up to the minute traffic information with mapping technology for automated driving.
