Photo: AppleInsider
Everybody knows Apple is developing an electric car, but as per the company’s typical FBI-like secrecy, nobody working for the Cupertino-based tech giant is allowed to say a single thing about this project.
Not officially, at least, as bits of information and leaks still reach the web in one way or another. But as far as Apple’s CEO Tim Cook is concerned, staying tight-lipped on the Apple Car is the right way to go.
Speaking with Chris Wallace of Fox News during the weekend, Tim Cook sidestepped a question regarding the existence of the Apple Car, simply explaining he “can’t comment on rumors and so forth.”
When Wallace suggested not discussing rumors is Cook’s decision, not something enforced by Apple as an internal policy, the CEO confirmed. “You’re right. I choose not to. Touché,” he said.
But on the other hand, silence is an answer too, and in this case, it’s likely a sign the Apple Car is in development, only that talking about the project right now doesn’t make much sense given many details are yet to be finalized. For example, Apple is said to be discussing with Hyundai a possible manufacturing deal as we speak, with an agreement expected to be reached by March this year.
If the two form a partnership, Hyundai could be in charge of building the Apple Car at Kia’s plant in the United States, though Apple is also exploring building a completely new facility in the country specifically for manufacturing the vehicle.
According to people familiar with the matter, Apple hopes to bring a beta version of the car, or a prototype, to the road as soon as next year, while the mass production would kick off in 2024. More details would most likely surface in the coming months, as the Apple Car project seems to be gaining pace, especially now that Apple has reached the phase where it’s discussing more details with its industry partners.
Speaking with Chris Wallace of Fox News during the weekend, Tim Cook sidestepped a question regarding the existence of the Apple Car, simply explaining he “can’t comment on rumors and so forth.”
When Wallace suggested not discussing rumors is Cook’s decision, not something enforced by Apple as an internal policy, the CEO confirmed. “You’re right. I choose not to. Touché,” he said.
But on the other hand, silence is an answer too, and in this case, it’s likely a sign the Apple Car is in development, only that talking about the project right now doesn’t make much sense given many details are yet to be finalized. For example, Apple is said to be discussing with Hyundai a possible manufacturing deal as we speak, with an agreement expected to be reached by March this year.
If the two form a partnership, Hyundai could be in charge of building the Apple Car at Kia’s plant in the United States, though Apple is also exploring building a completely new facility in the country specifically for manufacturing the vehicle.
According to people familiar with the matter, Apple hopes to bring a beta version of the car, or a prototype, to the road as soon as next year, while the mass production would kick off in 2024. More details would most likely surface in the coming months, as the Apple Car project seems to be gaining pace, especially now that Apple has reached the phase where it’s discussing more details with its industry partners.
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