Tencent poaches Google talent in race to design self-driving cars
An automaker launched last year by companies including tech giant Tencent Holdings has poached autonomous driving personnel from Google and Daimler AG, marking China's latest high-profile talent search in the race to make self-driving vehicles.
Technology companies are encroaching on the auto sector as vehicles become increasingly reliant on digital technology, with Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba Group Holding and Internet search provider Baidu Inc. forming automotive ventures.
A relaxation of restrictions on nonautomakers producing electric vehicles in China also has encouraged more entrants. Video streamer cum automaker Le Holdings Co., or LeEco, unveiled an electric self-driving concept car before the Beijing auto show.
Tencent, the Chinese maker of popular chat app WeChat, established Future Mobility to make electrified self-driving cars with Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. -- also known as Foxconn -- and car dealer China Harmony New Energy Auto Holding.
"If you're measuring these firms as automotive companies, the risks are very high and it's a very long shot for any to make it," said Bill Russo, managing director at consultancy Gao Feng Advisory Co. "Even Tesla has taken 10 years to earn respect."
Future Mobility has hired lead designer Wolfram Luchner from Alphabet Inc.'s self-driving car project, a source told Reuters.
From Daimler, the venture has hired Mercedes-Benz North America autonomous driving r&d director Luca Delgrossi, the source said.
When contacted by Reuters, Future Mobility COO Daniel Kirchert confirmed the appointments.
The automaker aims to produce luxury cars in China for sale at home, in Europe and the United States, Kirchert said, declining to specify when production would start.
"The auto sector has three different tipping points at the same time: electric powertrain with the connected car and autonomous drive," he said.
Future Mobility will be able to adapt more quickly to these changes than traditional automakers because it is more difficult for larger manufacturers to enact major change, he said.
Kirchert also confirmed other high-profile recruits from Tesla Motors Inc. and BMW AG, as reported by Reuters, Bloomberg and China Daily.
Those recruits include Carsten Breitfeld who will become Future Mobility's chief executive once released from BMW, where he was project manager for the i8 plug-in hybrid sports car.
Kirchert was chief of Infiniti's China operations before joining Future Mobility last week.
A relaxation of restrictions on nonautomakers producing electric vehicles in China also has encouraged more entrants. Video streamer cum automaker Le Holdings Co., or LeEco, unveiled an electric self-driving concept car before the Beijing auto show.
Tencent, the Chinese maker of popular chat app WeChat, established Future Mobility to make electrified self-driving cars with Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. -- also known as Foxconn -- and car dealer China Harmony New Energy Auto Holding.
"If you're measuring these firms as automotive companies, the risks are very high and it's a very long shot for any to make it," said Bill Russo, managing director at consultancy Gao Feng Advisory Co. "Even Tesla has taken 10 years to earn respect."
Future Mobility has hired lead designer Wolfram Luchner from Alphabet Inc.'s self-driving car project, a source told Reuters.
From Daimler, the venture has hired Mercedes-Benz North America autonomous driving r&d director Luca Delgrossi, the source said.
When contacted by Reuters, Future Mobility COO Daniel Kirchert confirmed the appointments.
The automaker aims to produce luxury cars in China for sale at home, in Europe and the United States, Kirchert said, declining to specify when production would start.
"The auto sector has three different tipping points at the same time: electric powertrain with the connected car and autonomous drive," he said.
Future Mobility will be able to adapt more quickly to these changes than traditional automakers because it is more difficult for larger manufacturers to enact major change, he said.
Kirchert also confirmed other high-profile recruits from Tesla Motors Inc. and BMW AG, as reported by Reuters, Bloomberg and China Daily.
Those recruits include Carsten Breitfeld who will become Future Mobility's chief executive once released from BMW, where he was project manager for the i8 plug-in hybrid sports car.
Kirchert was chief of Infiniti's China operations before joining Future Mobility last week.
