According to a generally reliable source, Apple is “very close” to closing a deal with a car manufacturer. The first Apple Car prototype would therefore appear in 2024.
Rumor: First Apple Car prototype in 2024
That writes The Korea Times. The newspaper is able to report on the basis of conversations with anonymous sources that Apple is in talks with LG Magna e-Powertrain. This is a joint venture from electronics company LG and Canadian car manufacturer Magna.
The talks are said to be at an advanced stage and only the details need to be ironed out. If it comes from a deal, the first Apple Cars will roll off the line “early 2021”, according to the Korean newspaper.
Initially, it mainly concerns prototypes. Apple sees its first vehicle as a test to see if there is enthusiasm for it. The first Apple Cars are also used to smooth out the revenue model and the production process.
Furthermore, The Korea Times notes that the deal is very convenient for LG. The originally South Korean company decided recently to stop producing smartphones and is therefore diligently looking for new revenue models.
LG investors would therefore put pressure on management to close a deal with Apple. That way, the brand can work on its image and reputation, according to the sources of The Korea Times.
We already know this about the Apple car
We have been hearing rumors for years about the Apple Car, or Project Titan, as the project is called internally at Apple. Hyundai recently announced that it had spoken with Apple, but that the talks ultimately came to nothing.
It is certain that Apple is following the electric car industry with great interest. At the end of 2020, for example, a former Porsche CEO switched to Apple to work on the mysterious project. Apple also took over a series of start-ups engaged in (autonomous) driving, such as Drive.AI.
Also read: Apple Car: we already know this about Apple’s first car
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