This is definitely a tie-up for the ages. The Nissan Motor Co., Renault SA and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. alliance has teamed up with Google, yes THAT Google, who will be integrating its operating systems to provide advanced information services starting from 2021.

Under this agreement, the Japanese-French carmaker alliance will provide intelligent infotainment and customer focused-applications through the Android operating system across multiple models and brands under the alliance.

“With the integration of the Android platform into our infotainment systems, we are adding a new level of intelligence to our connected vehicles. In the future, the Google Assistant, which employs Google’s leading AI technology, can become the main way customers interact with their vehicles, hands-free.”

“With Google Maps and the Google Assistant embedded in Alliance infotainment systems, our customers will have some of the most advanced AI based applications at their fingertips. And with in-vehicle access to the Google Play Store, our customers will enjoy an open and secure ecosystem of Android apps engineered for vehicles,” Kal Mos, global vice president of Alliance connected vehicles at Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi said.

Under the technology partnership, all vehicles sold by suppliers under the alliance will utilise Android and will provide turn-by-turn navigation with Google Maps. This will also include access to the ecosystem of automotive apps found on the Google Play Store, as well as provide drivers with the ability to answer calls and texts, control media, find information, and manage vehicle functions with voice using the built in Google Assistant.

Hadi Zablit, senior vice president of business development at Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi, said that this partnership with Google will offer owners a rich user experience that is only available by connecting an Android device to supported vehicles. On top of that, each brand under the alliance will have the flexibility to create a unique customer interface and specific features on top of the common Android platform.

Hiroshi Lockheimer, senior vice president of platforms and ecosystems at Google, said that Google and Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi share a common vision of delivering an “intelligent, safe and seamless” in-car experience with apps and services that are familiar, upgradable and connected. Google is “thrilled” to partner with Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi to bring the Google Assistant, Google Maps, and other popular apps via the Play Store and Android to drivers and passengers around the world, he added.

With this partnership in place, Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi is targeting increased sales of more than 14 million units a year by the end of 2022. The alliance’s members sold 10.6 million vehicles in 200 markets in 2017, ranking second for the first time.

There are many automakers who are now increasing their efforts to integrate more in-car services connected to the Internet. Automakers are also looking to tap into the self-driving technology available now. What do you think? Does this make you excited for the car of the future? Leave a comment below!