Apple iCar: Just Software After All?

Contrary to Bloomberg's reports, the Hyundai Group, with brands Hyundai and Kia, is currently not in talks with Apple about the development of an autonomous vehicle. The South Korean automaker stated this in announcements to the stock exchange in Seoul, responding to increasing speculation. It further said that Hyundai and Kia have received requests from a number of companies for joint development of self-driving electric cars, but nothing has been decided yet. In recent weeks, there have been repeated rumors that Apple wants to cooperate with Hyundai or Kia to build an autonomous car by 2024. The South Korean company did not deny these negotiations in the meantime, but has now backtracked and only admitted contact with several companies regarding possible collaborations on e-cars.

Apple itself also seems to be backtracking regarding the repeatedly reported iCar: Bloomberg News reported late last week that Apple had suspended discussions about building an electric car weeks ago. The electronics giant has never confirmed but also never denied the rumors about a possible entry into mobility that have been circulating for years. According to information from people familiar with the project, Apple is preparing an electric car with a novel, high-performance, and cost-effective battery, as well as advanced self-driving technology for series production in its "Project Titan." Some expect the market launch around 2024, while others anticipate the introduction not until 2027.

So far, Apple has officially limited itself in the automotive sector to the CarPlay system, which allows various digital functions of iPhones to be used in vehicles. In recent years, however, experts from the automotive industry are said to have repeatedly gone to Apple – including in 2018 the head of hardware development at Tesla, and only recently a German top manager involved in the development of the Porsche Taycan, also considered an expert in autonomous driving.

What does that mean?

For Apple, it would make more sense to implement its own software in vehicles, as this is where they are strong, and it avoids the whole aftermarket issue with sales, maintenance, stationing, and so on. This also makes the reaction of an Apple shareholder understandable, who commented on the announcement of wanting to build a car with just "Huh?"