Because self-driving is a strategically critical element of any car company that wants to survive once it becomes obvious how to do it. This means that anyone

Because self-driving is a strategically critical element of any car company that wants to survive once it becomes obvious how to do it. This means that anyone doing self-driving needs to be a manufacturer in order to avoid getting squeezed on terms and profitability. And vice versa. A partnership won’t cut it; one company of the partnership will get screwed and the thing will go nowhere. That’s why having both is critical, and I think this point is not fullt appreaciated. Waymo is the strong party in a negotation with any manufacturer, and the manufacturers know this.