For Apple fans eagerly awaiting rumors Apple engine to become a reality, I have good news and bad news. The good news: Word is Apple has talked to Hyundai and Kia about collaborating on an electric vehicle. The bad news: The talks have apparently come to a standstill.
People familiar with the matter said that Apple recently put a breather on the talks with the two Korean carmakers Bloomberg report. The sources, who spoke to the outlet under the condition of anonymity, added that Apple had also hit other carmakers for similar plans.
It is unclear whether the talks with Kia and Hyundai will resume or when it may be. Apple denied Bloomberg’s request for comment. Gizmodo has reached out to Apple, Kia and Hyundai and will update this blog should they respond.
Rumors about Apple joining a self-driving electric vehicle, which it called Project Titan, has been spreading since 2014. But the rumor mill has risen in recent weeks following an alleged drama between Hyundai, which has a controlling stake in Kia, and Apple.
You see, Hyundai’s executives have apparently become a bit also excited after Apple approached them to work together on an electric car and rechargeable batteries, and the beans wereted about the proposal to local media – an ominous offense for a company as notorious as Apple. Shortly after Hyundai claimed to have reviewed Apple’s proposal, the company angrily withdrew and issued a new statement saying that several global automakers, including Hyundai, had previously talked to Apple about a potential partnership. But then Hyundai apparently pondered and went even further just to be safe, by scrubbing all of Apple’s mentions in an updated statement.
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A few details about the potential partnership have surfaced, but it goes without saying that it should be taken with a grain of salt. In January, Reuters, referring to a local media division Korea IT News, said Hyundai and Apple plan to sign an agreement on the project by March. The report claims that the project aims to produce 100,000 cars by about 2024, which will manufacture the vehicles at a Kia Motors factory in Georgia or at a brand new US factory. If we move forward, the plant can produce 400,000 cars at full annual capacity. According to the report, a “beta version” of the Apple car would be released next year.
It does not appear that the parties involved were too eager for these details to come out, as an update erased most of the report, according to Reuters. It is unclear how Apple will interrupt these potential timelines if these discussions are interrupted.
We have previously stated theoretically that Hyundai may have burned bridges with Apple by too soon shutting its mouth over the proposal, and it certainly seems that this recent event supports it. Apple may or may not rest these talks now to focus on another partner, but if so, we certainly have an idea why.
[Bloomberg]