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Volkswagen Says Apple Is Unlikely to Build an Apple Car

People familiar with the matter said on several occasions that Apple is developing its very own self-driving EV, and while the project is currently in the works, not everybody seems to believe this is a path that the iPhone maker wants to embrace.
Apple Car rendering 10 photos
Photo: Vanarama
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Volkswagen, for instance, says Apple is unlikely to end up releasing its very own car, so there’s a bigger chance the company is actually investing in a digital cockpit.

In other words, if Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess is right, then Apple isn’t working on a complete car, but rather on the software that would make its products a more integral part of the driving experience in modern vehicles.

Diess explained at the hub.berlin technology conference that Apple investing in a car “would be a big effort,” so the Cupertino-based tech giant could eventually decide to focus on software like the evolved version of CarPlay.

Indeed, Apple announced the new-generation CarPlay at WWDC, with the company promising a completely overhauled experience when the new software is ready.

As compared to the existing version of CarPlay, the new release would get access to more vehicle functions, including the climate controls and the air conditioning, with Siri to provide voice support for all of them.

Furthermore, CarPlay would be able to run on all displays inside the car, so it could also display essential information, including the current speed, right on the dashboard. Apple says it’s working with carmakers to bring this new version of CarPlay to the market in late 2023, so the first vehicles fitted with it should become available in 2024.

As far as the Apple Car is concerned, sources with knowledge of the matter previously said that the vehicle would only launch in 2025, at the earliest. At this point, Apple is said to be discussing component supply deals with a series of companies, ahead of a prototype that could be created at some point in 2023.
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About the author: Bogdan Popa
Bogdan Popa profile photo

Bogdan keeps an eye on how technology is taking over the car world. His long-term goals are buying an 18-wheeler because he needs more space for his kid’s toys, and convincing Google and Apple that Android Auto and CarPlay deserve at least as much attention as their phones.
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