is underdiscussions with the new owners of digital mapping and location servicesplatform HERE for a possible stake acquisition, Reuters reported March 31,citing two auto industry sources familiar with the matter.
Amazon isreportedly eyeing the investment in hopes of securing a bigger deal to providecloud computing services for HERE.
Cloudcomputing will help maintain the accuracy of traffic data relayed on themapping platform, according to the report.
Amazon'splanned expansion of its delivery services across the U.S. and Europe will alsobenefit from the potential deal, through the use of real-time maps for fasterdelivery.
Thee-commerce giant is preparing to roll out a two-hour delivery service inBerlin in May.
CarmakersFord and Renault, as well as auto supplier Continental are also reportedlyinterested in investing in HERE.
AGerman consortium comprising AUDI AG, BMW Group andMercedes parent Daimler AG bought HERE for €2.5 billion from in 2015.