longpath

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longpath
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  • Apple pauses 'Apple Car' talks with Hyundai, report says

    longpathlongpath
    To be blunt, whomever winds up making what is sounding more and more like a glorified robotaxi really doesn’t matter. This first generation product sounds less and less like a consumer facing product by the day.

    That being said, I’m hardly the darling choice of any auto manufacturer, as my daily is a 2006, and it was a 2004 until my family was literally given a hand me down 2011. I look for a car that is still viable after two decades, preferably three.
    watto_cobra

  • 'Apple Car' profits will quickly dwarf initial $3.6B Kia investment, analyst claims

    longpathlongpath
    Given reports that first generation vehicles will have zero provisions for a driver, I think the presumption of luxury vehicle profit margins is debatable, at best. I’m very curious how a luxurious robotaxi & every possible service can pile on top is going to provide margins akin to the rest of Apple’s product line.
    JWSCCloudTalkinwatto_cobra

  • Apple settles South Korea antitrust case with $90 million investment

    longpathlongpath
    From what I’ve seen, such restitution are well established at the interpersonal level within the Korean culture & legal system.
    watto_cobrajony0

  • Apple rumored to invest $3.6B in Kia to produce 100,000 'Apple Cars' per year

    longpathlongpath
    dk49 said:
    This is exactly what I was thinking Apple might do. But I was hoping they would pump money into Magna and ask them to build a US plant. Having Magna as a partner would have allowed Apple to have complete control over manufacturing process, without needing to be associated with an existing auto manufacturer, and thus not worrying about dilution of their brand. They could have also build their own car platform with assistance from Magna, instead of using Hyundai's E-GMP platform. That would have allowed them to build it exactly as per their needs.

    The article says that Apple will use its own battery technology. But if they are using Hyundai's E-GMP platform, they would probably have to stick with the battery included in that platform, unless Hyundai allows Apple to customize the platform with their own batteries.
    The platform would easily allow battery tech from Apple to be substituted, as long as it fits in the same bay. My concern is whether the platform is structurally dependent upon so-called mild steels being used in the battery box, which will render it vulnerable to salt rot. Hopefully, it is a design that’s adaptable to high nickel alloys, which resist rust and corrosion better.
    watto_cobra

  • Apple poaches Porsche VP of chassis development for Apple Car development

    longpathlongpath
    lkrupp said:
    mknelson said:
    JWSC said:
    Whew.  This provides some much needed reassurance, especially after reading that Apple is considering using the E-GMP platform.  There’s still hope. 🤞
    Hyundai/Kia's current EVs are quite well thought of by EV and general automotive journalists.

    The only problem I see with the E-GMP is the 310 mile range estimate is based on the rather unrealistic WTLP test cycle they love in Europe.

    https://www.jdpower.com/cars/shopping-guides/what-is-the-hyundai-e-gmp-platform-for-electric-vehicles
    And the revised Tesla Model S boasts a 510 mile range.
    The E-GMP platform still relies upon pouch type battery cells. To be frank, to get 310 miles with such limited cell design is impressive; but my sincere hope is that Apple has much better battery tech in mind.

    That being said, the effort these hires suggest is going into chassis design seems odd to me given a largely self driving stylish minivan/crossover, as I keep seeing claimed. Hopefully Apple is able to hit a sweet spot between driver engagement/enjoyment and self driving when desired.
    watto_cobra