Renault-Nissan alliance, Google to partner on self-driving cars: Nikkei

The Google logo is pictured at the entrance to the Google offices in London, Britain January 18, 2019. REUTERS/Hannah McKay

(Reuters) - The Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance will tie up with Alphabet Inc's Google to develop autonomous taxis and other services using self-driving vehicles, the Nikkei reported on Tuesday.

Google's self-driving car company Waymo will work with the carmakers and announce a plan for the arrangement as early as this spring, the business daily reported.

The partners are considering the joint development of unmanned taxis using Nissan vehicles and a system that handles reservation and payments, Nikkei said.

FILE PHOTO: The logos of car manufacturers Renault and Nissan in front of a common dealership of the companies in Saint-Avold, France, January 15, 2019. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann/File Photo

A spokesman at the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance Nick Twork said, "This (Nikkei) story is based on rumors and speculation.  We have nothing to announce."

Google's Waymo declined to comment.

Last month, Nissan Motor Corp said its board remained committed to the carmaker's alliance with Renault SA and Mitsubishi Motors Corp, after directors met to discuss the ongoing investigation into former chairman Carlos Ghosn and ways to bolster governance.

(Reporting by Mekhla Raina in Bengaluru; Additional Reporting by Naomi Tajitsu in Tokyo; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta)