Hyundai in talks with Apple to produce 'Apple Car'
Apple is reportedly negotiating a deal that could result in a partnership with South Korean automaker Hyundai on an electric vehicle and specialized battery technology.
Citing an interview with an unnamed source, Korea Economic Daily reports Apple and Hyundai are in the process of hammering out a deal that would see the Korean company fulfill production responsibilities for a rumored "Apple Car."
The project has reportedly passed an internal review at Hyundai Motor Group, though the collaboration needs a green light from chairman Chung Eui-son.
In addition to manufacturing Apple's electric car, Hyundai will also play a role in developing the vehicle's custom battery solution. Battery operations will be handed off to Hyundai or Kia factories in the U.S., according to the source.
A report from Reuters in December claimed Apple is indeed developing "next level" battery technology to cut costs and increase potential driving range. Among the rumored advancements are a "monocell" design and new lithium iron phosphate chemical mixture.
Tesla's Elon Musk cast doubt on the Reuters report shortly after it was published.
Earlier today, Bloomberg said Apple is working to release a branded self-driving car, though production is at least five years out. There is still a chance that Apple could decide to scrap the project and instead market its self-driving technology to established manufacturers.
Update: Hyundai has confirmed it is in discussions to produce the rumored "Apple Car," reports CNBC.
"We understand that Apple is in discussion with a variety of global automakers, including Hyundai Motor. As the discussion is at its early stage, nothing has been decided," the company said.
Citing an interview with an unnamed source, Korea Economic Daily reports Apple and Hyundai are in the process of hammering out a deal that would see the Korean company fulfill production responsibilities for a rumored "Apple Car."
The project has reportedly passed an internal review at Hyundai Motor Group, though the collaboration needs a green light from chairman Chung Eui-son.
In addition to manufacturing Apple's electric car, Hyundai will also play a role in developing the vehicle's custom battery solution. Battery operations will be handed off to Hyundai or Kia factories in the U.S., according to the source.
A report from Reuters in December claimed Apple is indeed developing "next level" battery technology to cut costs and increase potential driving range. Among the rumored advancements are a "monocell" design and new lithium iron phosphate chemical mixture.
Tesla's Elon Musk cast doubt on the Reuters report shortly after it was published.
Apple has been working on a branded car, referred to internally as Project Titan, since at least 2014. The initiative was thought to have been put on ice in 2016, with work reorganized toward the development of self-driving systems instead of a full-fledged vehicle. More recently, however, reports indicate that Apple has circled back to its original plans."Tesla already uses iron-phosphate for medium range cars made in our Shanghai factory.
- A monocell is electrochemically impossible, as max voltage is ~100X too low. Maybe they meant cells bonded together, like our structural battery pack?"
Earlier today, Bloomberg said Apple is working to release a branded self-driving car, though production is at least five years out. There is still a chance that Apple could decide to scrap the project and instead market its self-driving technology to established manufacturers.
Update: Hyundai has confirmed it is in discussions to produce the rumored "Apple Car," reports CNBC.
"We understand that Apple is in discussion with a variety of global automakers, including Hyundai Motor. As the discussion is at its early stage, nothing has been decided," the company said.
Comments
If they want to build the best cars they'll have to go with German or Japanese engineering. Not Hyundai, yet another Korean me-too manufacturer...
Then again, here’s the “official” quote from Hyundai.
If Steve Jobs was alive and overseeing this, Hyundai would be blacklisted for a decade for merely mentioning such a thing. Cook should follow Jobs’ lead on this one.
With Apple's focus on QC added into the mix, I could be convinced though.
PS: One would think Toyota would be a good partner choice given their history with HEV and PHEV, but they seem to be stuck on hydrogen fuel cell and in denial that full on BEV solutions are a good way to go. I don't think Honda quite gets the BEV approach yet either, but I guess we'll see. I'm sure Apple could convince any one of them if the numbers are good. I do generally prefer the Japanese car brands (wife currently has a 2011 Prius, and I've had Datsun/Nissan, Mazda, Toyota, and Honda along the way), however I've not been too crazy about most of the Japanese car design direction lately. (Obviously, this would be a non-issue with an Apple car).