Renault, Google expand pact to make cars ‘like mobile phones’

The new Renault Austral on the first day of the Paris auto show. De Meo said new in-vehicle digital features will create additional revenue while bolstering the residual value of Renault cars and retain customers. Functions on demand will include drivers being able to locate their cars in large parking lots. — AFP

Renault SA is deepening its collaboration with Alphabet Inc’s Google in a bid to extend capabilities on remote software updates to new models such as the electric Megane E-Tech and Austral.

“We want to make the car an intelligent object that learns and one that can be upgraded over the air like a mobile phone,” Renault chief executive officer Luca de Meo said in an interview.