CarmB

So who’s trying to prevent this deal from happening?

After all, Apple tends to kill deals with potential partners who start discussing in public deals that are still being negotiated. LG is well aware of how this works having worked with Apple for years.

As we speak, Apple is no doubt looking into how this information has gotten out, assuming of course, that there is any there, there.

Apple might not have any background in long-term involvement in the auto industry but that doesn’t mean all the hires brought in to work on the Apple Car are lacking in experience. 

Apple couldn't care less about being first to market. Never has and probably never will. Apple didn't introduce tablets, portable music players, smartphones, smart watches and the like to the market. What Apple has done is launch segment-defining product. It no doubt is hoping to accomplish the same with BEVs. 

george kaplan said:

The problem with Mazda is no experience with electric vehicles. If Apple is going to pair with a company, it would make sense to partner with a company which has experience making electric vehicles on its assembly line *in the US*. Mazda hasn’t done this (and I think it’s major North America plants are in Mexico anyway).

But Nissan has been making the Leaf in this country, and VW is preparing to build its ID.4 in the US as well. The VW base BEV chassis is widely regarded as one of the most advanced, to be used by both VW and Audi. I have no idea if the US plant for the ID.4 will have excess capacity, but Apple would be building on a great platform. 

There is always the chance that Kia could circle back, since they likewise have a very promising BEV platform and can build in the US. Apple clearly has much to figure out in the months to come. 

Apple has a lot of experience developing systems to manage technology based around electric power sources. After all, what would a Mac Mini, iPhone, iPad, etc. be without a source of electricity, often provided by battery technology. It is battery technology after all that is the key element of making BEVs a viable alternative to current vehicle offerings. There isn't a whole lot of development work needed in terms of electric motors which are easy enough to source. 

It's not as if anyone, with the possible exception of Tesla, can be said to have extensive experience with BEVs. Established automakers have been tinkering here and there - a Leaf from Nissan, some noise from Volkswagen Group, GM's Bolt etc. - and there are start-ups popping up all over the place. It could be argued that developing battery-powered devices is something Apple has more experience with than all of them combined. That an automaker has assembled a battery-powered vehicle in the US, is not really that big an advantage. That degree of experienmce with the process can easily be matched with a year or two of preparatory work. 

Also, I'm not of the view that Apple is concerned all that much if the Apple product is made in the US. If the intent were to do so and your partner were let's say Mazda, building a plant from the ground up with that intent located in the US would be doable with Apple possessing the financial clout to make it happen. And if the Apple car was assembled outside of the US, really, consumers couldn't care less. Us North Americans are accustomed to buying products assembled elsewhere. Few of us would even ask.

Doing an electric vehicle is a relatively new process and it would make sense for a company with Apple's experience with battery-powered devices along with deep pockets combining with an automaker known for excellent chassis devlopment, not to mention accomplishing more with less. It certainly would be the case that Mazda has a great deal more to gain from forming a partnership on Apple's terms than any other potential partner with experience in the automotive space. Widespread electrification of the automotive industry is not a case of if but when. As such, Mazda clearly cannot avoid transitioning away from internal combustion engines, regardles of how much progress it makes in improving the efficiency of its ICEs. Doing it with Apple's assistance would certainly improve Mazda's chances. Apple, meanwhile, has a lot to gain in partnering with a company that has experience in automotive assembly and chassis development. 

It's obviously just a hunch but I would not be surprised if in the end, an Apple/Mazda partnership is what we get. 

Mazda would make a lot of sense in so much as Mazda has limited resources compared to a lot of competitiors. As such, having a partner with deep pockets like Apple could go a long way towards moving Mazda successfully into the electrification era. 

From Apple's perspective, it would gain a partner with a great reputation for chassis development. Mazdas are known for possessing solid chassic dynamics. Their powertrains are well done but the company is using aging technology largely because the resources to replace that technology as often as competitors just isn't there. For instance, Mazda currently uses a six-speed automatic that is far behind the units others are using with more gears, though it is a good unit, just the same. 

Mazda is looking to move upmarket somewhat, in part by delivering products with interior fit and finish that is a cut above the mainstream, volume class. 

Seems to me that potentially, a Mazda/Apple partnership could prove to be a win for both parties, though certainly Apple would have to be prepared to allow Mazda to use some of its tech in Mazda-branded models in exchange for Mazda producing for Apple a product that would be marketed primarily as an Apple product. 

Certainly Honda and Mazda have the right idea in terms of not talking about any negotiations that could be happening with Apple. It's not an Apple trait to be comfortable with a potential partner talking to the press before a deal is consummated.