Google the Auto Maker? Not Exactly

Google the Auto Maker? Not Exactly

The world's largest search company won't be getting into the car manufacturing business—at least not alone.Rumors about Apple's autonomous vehicle ambitions date back to February.

Google's Philipp Justus, managing director for the company's central and eastern Europe division, said on Tuesday at the Frankfurt Auto Show that the company will not be manufacturing vehicles.

"That is not something we could do alone," Justus told Reuters, pointing to partners like automotive suppliers Bosch [ROBG.Ul] and zf friedrichshafen. "Google also does not intend to become a car manufacturer."

Speculation over Google's car plans have surfaced in recent years as the search giant forges ahead on self-driving car technology. That has forced traditional carmakers, including BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and others, to look at how to integrate self-driving technology into their vehicles.