Audi, BMW and Mercedes complete €2.55bn purchase of Nokia’s HERE mapping business
The German carmakers have finalised their joint acquisition of Nokia’s HERE digital mapping unit, securing a key resource for future autonomous and connected vehicle technologies.
Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz have concluded their €2.55bn joint acquisition of Nokia’s HERE digital mapping and location services business, following clearance from all relevant antitrust authorities. The deal, first announced in August 2015, gives the three German manufacturers control over a crucial technology asset as the industry accelerates development of autonomous and connected vehicles.
HERE, originally launched by Nokia in 2012, supplies high-precision digital maps and location data to a range of industries, including car manufacturers, satnav providers and technology companies. The business remained with Nokia after Microsoft acquired its mobile phone division in 2014. While HERE’s consumer app is free, its core revenue comes from licensing mapping data to automotive and enterprise clients.
Strategic move to secure digital mapping for autonomous driving
The purchase was driven by concerns among the German carmakers that HERE’s mapping technology could fall into the hands of a technology rival, potentially restricting access to a vital component for next-generation driver assistance and autonomous systems. Competing bids were reportedly made by Uber and Baidu, underlining the strategic importance of high-quality mapping data for self-driving vehicles.
By securing HERE, Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz aim to ensure continued access to detailed, updatable maps that underpin features such as advanced driver assistance, real-time traffic data and, ultimately, fully autonomous driving. The companies have stated that HERE’s platform will remain open to other manufacturers, allowing a broader ecosystem to develop differentiated, brand-specific services based on shared raw data.
Implications for the industry and future mobility
The acquisition positions the three brands to compete more effectively as autonomous and connected vehicle technologies advance. Control over HERE’s mapping data reduces reliance on third-party providers, addressing concerns about potential monopolisation by technology firms. It also allows for tailored integration of mapping features into each brand’s vehicles, supporting differentiation in a competitive premium market.
The deal’s completion comes as German manufacturers expand their autonomous driving programmes, with public trials and regulatory engagement already underway. The ability to shape HERE’s data and services is expected to play a central role in these efforts, as well as in the development of new mobility and location-based services for both private and fleet customers.
Other premium carmakers and technology companies may now look to secure or develop their own mapping assets, given the centrality of location data to autonomous driving. The German consortium has indicated that HERE will continue to operate independently, with its services available to the wider automotive industry.
