For Apple fans who are looking forward to the rumors Apple car to make it a reality, I have some good news and some bad news. The good news: Word is that Apple has talked to Hyundai and Kia about collaborating on an electric vehicle. The bad news: those talks have stalled.
People familiar with the matter said that Apple recently paused talks with the two Korean carmakers on Friday. Bloomberg report. Sources, who spoke with the outlet on condition of anonymity, added that Apple has hit other carmakers for similar plans.
It is unclear whether his talks with Kia and Hyundai will resume or when this could be the case. Apple declined to comment on Bloomberg’s comments. Gizmodo has contacted Apple, Kia and Hyundai and will update this blog if they respond.
Rumors that Apple is working on a electric vehicle with automatic control, which he called Project Titan, have been circulating since 2014. But rumors have intensified in recent weeks, following an alleged drama between Hyundai, which holds a controlling stake in Kia and Apple.
You see, Hyundai officials seem to have little also excited after Apple approached them to work together on an electric car and rechargeable batteries and he spilled the beans at the proposal to the local media – a sacrilege offense for a company as well known as Apple. Shortly after Hyundai claimed to be reviewing Apple’s proposal, the company angrily withdrew and issued a new statement saying several global automakers, including Hyundai, were discussing a potential partnership with Apple. But then Hyundai apparently had secondary thoughts and backed off even more just to be safe, removing all mentions of Apple in an updated statement.
G / O Media may receive a commission
A few details have emerged about the potential partnership, although it goes without saying that they should be taken with a grain of salt. In January, Reuters, citing a report from the local media Korea IT News, said that Hyundai and Apple intend to sign an agreement on the project by March. The report said the project would aim to produce 100,000 cars by 2024, producing the vehicles either at a Kia Motors plant in Georgia or in a new US unit. Going forward, the factory would be able to produce 400,000 cars at full annual capacity. According to the report, a “beta version” of the Apple machine should have been launched next year.
It seems that the parties involved were too eager for these details to appear, although an update deleted most of the report, according to Reuters. It is unclear how Apple would discontinue these discussions would affect these potential timelines.
I have theorized before that Hyundai may have burned bridges with Apple, making the rumor about the proposal too early, and this recent recurrence of events seems to support this. It is possible that Apple may or may not rest these discussions for the time being to focus on shopping for another partner, but if it is, we certainly have an idea why.
[Bloomberg]