Daimler, part of the consortium that is close to purchasing HERE, confirmed the mapmaker would become an open platform if the bid is successful.

CEO Dieter Zetsche said the consortium, which also includes BMW and Audi, would make HERE’s software available to other carmakers if an agreement is reached with Nokia, HERE’s current parent, Reuters reported.

Zetsche was speaking on a call to discuss Daimler’s second-quarter results.

The asking price for HERE is thought to be between €2.5 billion and €3 billion.

A report earlier this week said the German firms and Nokia have agreed in principle to a deal. According to one source, reaching a final agreement hangs on who owns the patents for the technology that helps self-driving cars communicate with mobile networks.

If the deal is finalised then the car makers plan to invite other automotive firms, such as Fiat Chrysler, Renault, Peugeot, Ford, Toyota and General Motors, to invest in HERE.

Zetsche said better security was another reason for buying HERE. Concern over in-car security from hackers is a growing concern. Acquiring HERE would enable more control over security, he said:

“You can see from reading the papers that we are trying to acquire a platform together with our German competitors, to gain control over the platform which enables autonomous driving, for exactly these reasons,” he said.