Apple-Kia partnership not dead yet, report claims
Though Hyundai and Kia in February confirmed they were no longer in talks to create an "Apple Car" for Apple, a report on Friday suggests there might still be hope for a partnership between the companies.
Citing sources familiar with the matter, Korean outlet Chosun Biz, via Reuters, reports Apple last year inked a memorandum of understanding with Kia to cooperate on projects spanning eight different sectors.
Hyundai in January said it was discussing a deal that would see Kia manufacture a so-called "Apple Car," but quickly walked back the statement after it caused a media firestorm. Electric vehicles, one of the categories covered in the MOU, was thought to be out of the picture after the automaker confirmed it was no longer in talks with Apple.
According to today's report, however, negotiations regarding a vehicle partnership have not been fully abandoned. Further, Kia has other opportunities should the electric car plans fall through, sources said.
"Even if the negotiations on electric vehicles fail, there are many items that can be negotiated in other fields, so we are still optimistic about the possibility of partnership between the two sides," the person said.
The report goes on to say that Apple and Kia are discussing "last mile" mobility, a segment focused on the final leg of travel between one means of transportation and a destination. Electric scooters and rental bikes fall squarely into that arena.
Today's report comes about a week after the South Korean government said it would investigate whether Hyundai executives profited from the company's premature disclosure of "Apple Car" negotiations, news of which goosed the company's stock. Kia shares rose again today after the Chosun report was published.
Apple's autonomous car project is at this point an open secret. Specifics are unknown, but the company is widely rumored to be seeking an established manufacturer to produce its vision of a consumer electric vehicle.
Citing sources familiar with the matter, Korean outlet Chosun Biz, via Reuters, reports Apple last year inked a memorandum of understanding with Kia to cooperate on projects spanning eight different sectors.
Hyundai in January said it was discussing a deal that would see Kia manufacture a so-called "Apple Car," but quickly walked back the statement after it caused a media firestorm. Electric vehicles, one of the categories covered in the MOU, was thought to be out of the picture after the automaker confirmed it was no longer in talks with Apple.
According to today's report, however, negotiations regarding a vehicle partnership have not been fully abandoned. Further, Kia has other opportunities should the electric car plans fall through, sources said.
"Even if the negotiations on electric vehicles fail, there are many items that can be negotiated in other fields, so we are still optimistic about the possibility of partnership between the two sides," the person said.
The report goes on to say that Apple and Kia are discussing "last mile" mobility, a segment focused on the final leg of travel between one means of transportation and a destination. Electric scooters and rental bikes fall squarely into that arena.
Today's report comes about a week after the South Korean government said it would investigate whether Hyundai executives profited from the company's premature disclosure of "Apple Car" negotiations, news of which goosed the company's stock. Kia shares rose again today after the Chosun report was published.
Apple's autonomous car project is at this point an open secret. Specifics are unknown, but the company is widely rumored to be seeking an established manufacturer to produce its vision of a consumer electric vehicle.
Comments
https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/apple-partner-foxconn-to-form-ev-partnership-with-fisker-1.1567958
Genesis/Hyundai could take a big reputation hit if the Tiger Wood investigation shows that the SUV was at fault......we'll find out soon.....
I would have thought he would take a helicopter.
Oh wait...
https://www.synopsys.com/automotive/autonomous-driving-levels.html
But the following is a more interesting link, about why Tesla has such poor manufacturing;
https://evfarm.substack.com/p/apple-and-tesla-are-never-ever-getting
“Back of the cabinet mentality” meets “pee on the tree and leave”
Musk is a fraud, and a narcissistic one at that, who like Ex-President Trump, leads a cult of personality.
It won't end well for Elon.
I post the following as it is informative and entertaining;
and this;
LOL...
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-17/mclaren-s-258-000-hybrid-boasts-blazing-speed-without-the-guilt
They even want to sell their HQ building, which looks an awful lot like Apple's HQ (and it came first. Apple copied.)