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 (NYSE: NOK) 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-biddersThe ride-sharing startup is said to be partnering with China-based search engine provider Baidu Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU) 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-saleMonday's report also said Tencent Holdings Ltd. (OTC: TCTZF) 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. (NASDAQ: MSFT) 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 (NYSE: ALU) 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-businessNokia 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. (NASDAQ: AAPL), Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ: FB), Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (NYSE: BABA) and Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN).