By contrast, Germany’s automotive giants have favored a more confrontational approach.

That has been backed by many locals, who have so far rebuffed Uber’s aggressive local expansion plans that have often run roughshod over domestic regulation, and by German politicians eager to please some of the country’s biggest employers.

BMW, for example, is working with the chip maker Intel and Mobileye, an Israeli tech company, to develop a self-driving car of its own by early in the next decade. It has also formed a partnership with IBM to use artificial intelligence to allow vehicles to automatically adapt to their owners’ preferences.

To combat the likes of Tesla, the California electric automaker, BMW is planning to expand its i Series line of battery-powered and hybrid vehicles. Since 2014, it has sold 100,000 of the i3 model, which runs on batteries and has a lightweight carbon fiber body.

Daimler, the maker of Mercedes-Benz cars and trucks, has similarly been investing in digital alternatives. Of the three automakers, it has also been the only one so far to become an active partner with Uber, albeit in a limited deal where it provides a set of its autonomous vehicles to the ride service.

Daimler also owns Car2Go, a short-term car rental service; Blacklane, an upmarket ride-hailing app; and MyTaxi, Europe’s largest taxi-hailing service.

Andrew Pinnington, chief executive of MyTaxi, said the automaker’s backing had allowed it to expand rapidly across Europe, where it has often teamed up with local taxi associations to combat the rise of Uber.

“This is a game that requires deep pockets,” Mr. Pinnington said.

The German carmakers’ digital plans have led to increased collaboration between what have long been staunch rivals.