In February 2021, it was reported that Apple and Hyundai were in talks to collaborate on the development of an electric vehicle (EV) that could potentially rival Tesla. The two companies have been in discussions since early 2020, with the possibility of a partnership leading to the creation of an Apple-branded EV using Hyundai’s manufacturing expertise and existing infrastructure.
According to industry insiders, the partnership would allow Appleroy to leverage Hyundai’s experience in building EVs and expand its reach into the automotive industry, while Hyundai would gain access to Apple’s cutting-edge technology and brand recognition. However, as of March 2021, it appears that the partnership may have hit a snag.
The potential partnership between Apple and Hyundai has been referred to as “Apple Car” by industry analysts, although little is known about the specifics of the project. Reports suggest that the two companies are working on developing a battery-electric vehicle with self-driving capabilities, which would compete with Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y.
It is speculated that the vehicle would be manufactured at Hyundai’s plant in Georgia, which currently produces the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade SUVs. This would give Apple access to a ready-made manufacturing infrastructure and allow the company to scale up production quickly.
However, the partnership has been subject to some speculation and uncertainty in recent weeks. In early February, a Hyundai spokesperson confirmed that the company was “in early talks” with Apple, but later retracted the statement, leading to rumors that the negotiations had fallen through.
Shortly thereafter, a report from the Korean news outlet Hankyung suggested that Hyundai had become hesitant about partnering with Apple due to concerns over the latter’s reputation for maintaining tight control over its suppliers and partners. The report suggested that Hyundai had not been fully prepared for the demands that would come with working with Apple and was concerned about the implications for its own brand.
Despite these rumors, Hyundai’s executives have continued to express interest in working with Apple on the development of an EV. In a statement released in late February, Hyundai Motor Chairman Euisun Chung confirmed that the company was in talks with Apple, stating that “we are open to cooperating with Apple on several fronts, including the development of EVs.”
The statement seemed to suggest that Hyundai was still interested in working with Apple on the development of an EV, but that negotiations were ongoing and no definitive agreement had been reached. It also suggested that the partnership could extend beyond the development of an EV, potentially encompassing other areas of collaboration between the two companies.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the potential partnership between Apple and Hyundai, the possibility of an Apple-branded EV has generated significant excitement in the automotive industry. The partnership could potentially bring together two of the world’s most innovative companies to create a vehicle that combines cutting-edge technology with advanced manufacturing capabilities.
In addition, the collaboration could help to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles, which many experts believe is critical for mitigating the effects of climate change. By combining Apple’s expertise in software and hardware with Hyundai’s experience in manufacturing and supply chain management, the partnership could help to bring affordable, high-quality EVs to market faster than ever before.
In conclusion, while it is still uncertain whether the partnership between Apple and Hyundai will come to fruition, the potential for the two companies to collaborate on the development of an EV is generating significant excitement in the automotive industry. With the transition to electric vehicles becoming increasingly urgent, a partnership between two of the world’s most innovative companies could help to accelerate the adoption of EVs and pave the way for a more sustainable future.