Photo: Canoo
Canoo doesn’t have a commercially viable vehicle yet, but what it’s shown so far has been more than enough to catch the attention of Apple bosses, according to the latest reports.
Three people privy to the situation told The Verge (under cover of anonymity, of course) that, in early 2020, Apple was showing plenty of interest in the EV startup. The report comes hot on the heels of another saying that Apple could partner with Hyundai for its first foray into electric vehicles, the so-called Project Titan or Apple Car.
As per the report, Apple “held meetings” with Canoo to talk about the latter’s skateboard platform that will be used for all its upcoming vehicles, from the subscription-based/ride-sharing pod to delivery and food trucks. Another focus of the meetings was the possibility of a future investment or acquisition by Apple.
Apple was more interested in Canoo’s skateboard, while Canoo was hoping for an investment, the insiders say. Considering Canoo started 2020 with just $29 million in the bank, after losing $182.3 million the previous year putting together the Canoo prototype, as revealed in a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, no wonder it was in dire need of a cash infusion.
Talks with Apple fell through, and Canoo went public later last year. In a statement to the same media outlet, Canoo’s Executive Chairman Tony Aquila notes that the company “doesn’t openly comment on strategic discussions, relationships or partnerships unless deemed appropriate.” Which is clearly not the case here.
That is a clear case of “water under the bridge” and the world finding out about it one year after the fact. That said, the report does serve to show that Apple remains as committed as ever to Project Titan, which gives some credence to rumors about a 2022 deadline for a working prototype.
As per the report, Apple “held meetings” with Canoo to talk about the latter’s skateboard platform that will be used for all its upcoming vehicles, from the subscription-based/ride-sharing pod to delivery and food trucks. Another focus of the meetings was the possibility of a future investment or acquisition by Apple.
Apple was more interested in Canoo’s skateboard, while Canoo was hoping for an investment, the insiders say. Considering Canoo started 2020 with just $29 million in the bank, after losing $182.3 million the previous year putting together the Canoo prototype, as revealed in a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, no wonder it was in dire need of a cash infusion.
Talks with Apple fell through, and Canoo went public later last year. In a statement to the same media outlet, Canoo’s Executive Chairman Tony Aquila notes that the company “doesn’t openly comment on strategic discussions, relationships or partnerships unless deemed appropriate.” Which is clearly not the case here.
That is a clear case of “water under the bridge” and the world finding out about it one year after the fact. That said, the report does serve to show that Apple remains as committed as ever to Project Titan, which gives some credence to rumors about a 2022 deadline for a working prototype.
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