Detroit's automakers, sensing a threat, embrace mobility

Automakers are facing multiple threats to their business from nimble tech firms like Apple and Uber.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is partnering with Google to test self-driving software in 100 of its minivans.

In congested and expensive cities, people are increasingly content to share cars or summon rides using their smartphones.

Global revenue at traditional automakers totals $2.3 trillion a year, he says; the transportation business, including taxis, buses and car-sharing, is worth $5.4 trillion.

[...] after surviving the recession, Detroit is enjoying record U.S. sales and plowing the profits into mobility experiments.

Three months later, it paid a rumored $1 billion for Cruise Automation, a startup that makes autonomous vehicle software.

GM President Dan Ammann said that when GM sees potential value, it can't afford to sit back and see where the market heads.

Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne says it's dangerous for automakers to place big bets on one solution.

The company has run more than 30 global mobility experiments over the past 18 months, including a concept in India that lets multiple families or co-workers share a car and a ride-hailing van service for workers on its Dearborn campus.

Users of the free app — who don't have to own Fords — can also reserve and pay for parking spots, get help from a live operator, rent their cars through FlightCar and earn points at partners like McDonald's.