Report: Uber Gets On Line To Bid On Nokia Corp. Map Unit

Uber Technologies Inc. joined a long list of companies on Monday that are rumored to be bidding on Nokia Corp.'s

maps unit valued at up to $4 billion. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-05-18/uber-joins-baidu-as-nokia-s-maps-unit-draws-multiple-bidders The ride-sharing startup is said to be partnering with China-based search engine provider Baidu Inc.

in its bid, according to a report by Bloomberg. Baidu hooked up with Uber "to avoid regulatory scrutiny," according to the report, which cited anonymous sources. Baidu had been previously mulling a bid, perhaps as part of a consortium, according to reports last month. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-04-22/nokia-said-to-target-apple-alibaba-and-amazon-in-maps-unit-sale Monday's report also said Tencent Holdings Ltd.

has formed a group with NavInfo Co. of China and Swedish buyout firm EQT Partners AB to make a separate bid. A group of German automakers Audi AG, BMW AG and Daimler AG remain in the running, according to the report, which also said Microsoft Corp.

has offered to acquire a minority stake while several U.S. private equity firms have expressed an interest. Nokia said last month it would review a possible sale of its HERE maps unit in the wake of its plan to acquire Alactel Lucent SA

for $16.6 billion. http://company.nokia.com/en/news/press-releases/2015/04/15/nokia-has-initiated-a-review-of-strategic-options-for-its-here-business Nokia Chairman Risto Siilasmaa said earlier this month that the company might decide not to sell the business. http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/05/05/nokia-ma-maps-idUSL5N0XW3O020150505 "We strongly believe in the possibilities to develop HERE also as part of Nokia" Siilasma said according to Reuters. "Above all, this is a question of finding the best possibilities for HERE to create value." Nokia acquired the business seven years ago for a reported $8.1 billion. Although previously rumored to be interested, Bloomberg's report on Monday made no mention of any potential bids from Apple Inc.

, Facebook Inc.

, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.

and Amazon.com Inc.

.