Apple working with Chinese firm on car battery research - report
Apple is secretly working with a Chinese firm on research and development of auto batteries, suggesting it may be interested in more than just software for self-driving cars, according to one report.
The Chinese company -- Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) -- has signed a confidentiality agreement, sources told Yicai Global on Thursday. Few other details were available, and CATL has officially refused to comment.
To date Apple has only been testing modified existing vehicles on public roads. The company was at one point rumored to be building a complete electric car, but in the past year "Project Titan" is thought to have switched focus to software.
If the CATL partnership is authentic, Apple may have reached an expected decision on whether or not to move ahead with an internally designed car. The company would need an especially powerful battery to match the 200-mile-plus range on vehicles like Tesla's Model 3.
Indeed the company could end up spending many billions if it wants to enter the market, not the least because it would need to develop still more technologies and contract with outside parts and assembly firms. Tesla has an inherent advantage in the battery arena thanks to the Nevada-based Gigafactory, which may eventually be joined by several other factories worldwide.
Earlier rumors hinted that Apple was targeting a 2021 release date, but it's possible that the changing gears in the project could translate into a delay.
The Chinese company -- Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) -- has signed a confidentiality agreement, sources told Yicai Global on Thursday. Few other details were available, and CATL has officially refused to comment.
To date Apple has only been testing modified existing vehicles on public roads. The company was at one point rumored to be building a complete electric car, but in the past year "Project Titan" is thought to have switched focus to software.
If the CATL partnership is authentic, Apple may have reached an expected decision on whether or not to move ahead with an internally designed car. The company would need an especially powerful battery to match the 200-mile-plus range on vehicles like Tesla's Model 3.
Indeed the company could end up spending many billions if it wants to enter the market, not the least because it would need to develop still more technologies and contract with outside parts and assembly firms. Tesla has an inherent advantage in the battery arena thanks to the Nevada-based Gigafactory, which may eventually be joined by several other factories worldwide.
Earlier rumors hinted that Apple was targeting a 2021 release date, but it's possible that the changing gears in the project could translate into a delay.
Comments
Im not sure if I am happy that Apple as an electric vehicle manufacturer would give American car manufacturers a kick in the butt for how they have dragged their feet on EVs or angry that Apple will doubtless put American workers out of business.
The Apple Car
Don't get me wrong, I want Apple to succeed, but it's hard to see a Gigafactory coming online, producing batteries for cars with hardware/software already capable of driving itself and not wonder, "WTF exactly is Apple doing here?"
Didi Chuxing (Chinese Car Driving Service) gives Apple (10% ownership) the connection and cover when dealing with Geely (majority owner). Makes it easy to put Apple Self Driving software into Geely cars in China for testing. Volvo would give Apple dealerships for selling and serving the cars without people noticing that Apple was buying a lot of new property unannounced. Atleast that's how an Apple car could appear out of no where. Now I do think that Apple is behind Telsa but I doubt they are behind Ford, Chrysler, Honda, Subaru, Toyota, Kia, etc in developing a self driving electric car with auto pilot software. First year I would expect 30,000 SUVs at $100,000 or more. Thats 3B first year, but they could eventually get up to 1 Million cars a year at premium prices and high profit margins due to cheap Chinese labor.
Apple Car
Designed by Pundits. Delayed in California./s