Google is showing off its self-driving platform at the Detroit auto-show this week, and one potential partner could be General Motors.

General Motors chief technology officer Jon Lauckner told Reuters "I'm not in charge of deciding what we will and won't do, but I'd say we'd certainly be open to having a discussion with [Google]."

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However, Lauckner doesn't know the specifics of a relationship with Google, and how much creative freedom General Motors will have on the self-driving platform and the car itself. Google recently launched a prototype for its self-driving car, but it is unclear if this is the standard for cars using Google's platform, or simply a prototype for Google to use for more tests.

The revelation from General Motors comes after a rather blank CES 2015 from the automotive company, not showing any self-driving technology at the event. Audi, Mercedes Benz, BMW, Volkswagen and Ford were all present at the event, showing off all types of upgrades coming in the near future to their cards. Audi and Mercedes Benz both showed self-driving concepts, and BMW showed off a self-braking system.

The actual sophistication of Audi and BMW's self-driving platform might be put under scrutiny when compared to Google's own self-driving service, this may be why Audi and BMW are putting self-driving cars in the distant future.

Google, on the other hand, has worked on its self-driving platform for over three years now, and has mapped out a large part of the roads in the U.S. If General Motors partners with Google, it may have a distinct advantage when it comes to complete automation.

Nothing is set in stone however, and just because Jon Lauckner gives some mention Google does not mean the management at General Motors is not planning its own self-driving platform, to compete with Audi, BMW and Google.

Tagsself-driving, General Motors, automotive