Google plans to merge the Maps and Waze teams to cut costs

Google is planning to merge its mapping service Waze team with the team responsible for the company's mapping products to streamline operations and ease mounting cost pressures.

Google plans to merge the 500-strong Waze team with the company's Geo division, which is responsible for Google Maps, Google Earth, and Street View products, starting Friday, according to a Google spokeswoman.

Waze's chief executive, Neha Parikh, is leaving the company after a transition period. A Google spokeswoman said the company plans to keep Waze as a separate service and isn't planning any layoffs as part of the restructuring.

Google said it expected the restructuring to reduce overlapping work between the Waze and mapping product teams. In a statement, a Google spokesperson said: "Google remains committed to building Waze's unique brand, continuing to improve our beloved app, and supporting our thriving community of volunteers and users."

Sundar Pichai, Google's chief executive, has been looking for ways to improve efficiency after advertising growth slowed this year. In September, Pichai said he wanted Google to be 20 percent more productive and said the company might merge teams working on overlapping products.