Can companies face a dilemma of how to deal with cyberhacking of the next generation cars as they approach the era of autonomous driving.

The risk is two-fold: Hackers taking control of cars’ vital functions; and loss of privacy of drivers and passengers using onboard communications.

Car companies are also aware of technology companies trying to muscle in on this area of mobile communications.

While a carmaker like Tesla has resorted to hiring a hacker, a Mr. Kristin Paget who used to work with Google and Microsoft as a security geek, in order to tackle the risks of hacking to its model S, the industry as whole need comprehensive solutions.

There are signs of collective efforts by some companies including Ford, Daimler and BMW, to form an alliance to work on a common platform to secure cars and vital drivers’ information and communications.

This common front is formed against the likes of Google and Apple who are trying to invade this area and marginalize the role of the car manufacturers.

Google,, on the other hand, is testing its own autonomous car raising fears among some carmakers that the cyber company is eying car manufacturing as well.

However, Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche dismissed the idea as mere “disruption” saying that Technology companies such as Google are unlikely to become mass car manufacturers, even if they have the potential to disrupt an industry increasingly focused on software and automated driving.

While Google unveiled an advanced self-driving car last year, Zetsche said the US company’s objective was probably to better understand how cars are used, rather than to become a manufacturer in its own right.

He added “Google and the likes want to get involved in the first place to build vehicles but are studying how technology is used at home, the office and the car as places where people spend time.”

Car companies are not likely to lose cyber control over their vehicles and their best route forward is to cooperate, rather than compete, with cyber companies to enhance the welfare and security of their customers.

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* Adel Murad is a senior motoring and business journalist, based in London.

Email: [email protected]