A day after self-driving tech startup Aurora partnered with Fiat Chrysler to create robotic commercial vehicles, the company is confirming that its technical alliance with Volkswagen has concluded for the time being.

The German automotive giant began working with Silicon Valley-based Aurora about two years ago when the company led by three self-driving R&D veterans emerged from stealth mode. VW, which is reported to be discussing a partnership with Ford on autonomous vehicles, opted not to renew a contract with Aurora earlier this year, according to the Financial Times, citing three people familiar with the matter…

Earlier this year, Volkswagen was reported to be on the verge of investing $1.7 billion in Ford’s Argo AI unit, a Pittsburgh-based company that’s leading the development of the U.S. carmaker’s autonomous vehicle system. Last year, Aurora rebuffed a potential acquisition offer from Volkswagen, opting to remain an independent engineering company, according to Bloomberg.
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