Uber has submitted a $3 billion bid to buy Nokia’s location services unit Here, in a quest to become independent from using Google Maps and Apple.
Competitors also looking at Nokia Here include BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz, who have joined forces with Chinese search engine Baidu and launched a $2.2 billion offer in March this year.
A "person familiar with the matter" confirmed to the The New York Times Uber’s interest in Here as the company prepares to expand to a further 250 cities around the world.
Uber was also said to be preparing for the deployment of new technologies such as smart cars.
Both Uber and Nokia refused to comment.
80% of the global market for GPS systems integrated in cars is owned by Nokia. Here offers services to nearly 200 countries, including voice guided navigation in 94, and live traffic information in 33.