Reports earlier this year held that Apple was looking to either Hyundai, Kia or BYD, among others, were to help develop a platform for its upcoming electric vehicle (EV), though new reports show that the company has decided to develop the vehicle on its own, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Apple has decided to develop the electric Apple car independently and is currently in the process of choosing its final component suppliers, according to a report from Maeil Economic Daily (via MacRumors).
While Apple has apparently had a research and development (R&D) team for an EV since 2014, it has been exploring partnerships with other companies to develop the vehicles ever since, citing challenges with the process.
Apple in Talks with Suppliers over Self-Driving Car Sensors: Report https://t.co/bDZyjV288W
— TeslaNorth.com (@RealTeslaNorth) February 19, 2021
Part of the decision was also reportedly made because Apple did not want to delay the launch of the vehicle any longer, which is already expected to take until 2025 or 2027 to launch, at the earliest.
Apple also filed for a Request for Information (RFI), Request for Proposal (RFP), and Request for Quotation (RFQ) to global auto component manufacturers, which likely means Apple’s car is indeed selecting its final suppliers for the project.
In April, reports also held that the Apple car contract could go to a Canadian joint venture between LG and Magna, which would build the EV for Apple if it were to be selected.
Yesterday, it was confirmed that Apple’s car project leader, Doug Field, departed the company to head back to Ford, where the latter first started his engineering career. Field previously had also worked at Tesla, helping the company launch the Model 3 sedan.
It’s clear the rumoured Apple Car is still many years away and it’s unclear what shape or form it will take at this point.
