In 2016, which automobile company acquired the self-driving startup Cruise Automation?

General Motors acquired the self-driving startup Cruise Automation in 2016.

GM announced the acquisition in March 2016 to accelerate its development of autonomous vehicles. Cruise, founded in 2013 by Kyle Vogt and Dan Kan, had developed software and hardware for automated driving and had participated in Y Combinator, the startup accelerator. After the deal, Cruise continued operating from San Francisco as an independent unit within GM’s autonomous-vehicle efforts.

The acquisition gave GM access to specialized software talent and a startup-style development process. Cruise shifted away from an earlier retrofit product called RP-1 and focused on building a fully autonomous vehicle platform. Its test vehicles included modified Chevrolet Bolt EVs, linking Cruise’s technology program with GM’s vehicle engineering and manufacturing capabilities.

The purchase price was not officially disclosed at announcement, although reports placed it at more than $1 billion. This deal is distinct from GM’s later investments in Cruise and its subsequent purchase of additional ownership stakes. “Super Cruise,” meanwhile, is GM’s hands-free driver-assistance system, not the acquired company itself.