Briefs | FCA, Google begin offering rides in self-driving cars

Fiat Chrysler and Google for the first time will offer rides to the public in the self-driving automobiles they are building under an expanding partnership. The companies announced in the spring of last year that they would build 100 self-driving Chrysler Pacifica hybrids minivans. Those vehicles have been tested in Arizona, California and Michigan. Waymo, Google’s self-driving car project, said yesterday that it will allow hundreds of people in Phoenix to take rides in the vehicles so that it can get feedback on the experience. People can apply on Waymo’s website. The company also said that it’s expanding its fleet to 500 Pacifica hybrids.

Cost cuts at Coca-Cola go deeper 

Coca-Cola’s sales declined in the first quarter as it restructured itsbusiness and the company said yesterday that it will cut costs further. The maker of Fanta, Sprite and Smartwater says it plans to cut another USD800 million in annualized savings in addition to the $3 billion it’s already trimming. Most those savings are expected to be realized in 2018 and 2019, the company said. Coca-Cola Co. has also been reshaping its business by selling back its bottling and distribution operations to independent bottlers. That means Coke is becoming more focused on selling concentrates and marketing for its brands as its No. 2 executive, James Quincey, prepares to officially take over as CEO next week.