Photo: Apple
Apple last month sent an envoy to South Korea to meet with prospective suppliers for its Apple Car project, internally known as “Project Titan” — reports South Korean tech publication ETNEWS.
According to the publication’s sources, the Cupertino, California-based tech giant was interested in Korean electronic parts manufacturers with experience in mass production.
After failed negotiations with several automotive industry veterans in early 2021, Apple in September was rumored to be developing its all-electric autonomous car alone and looking for suppliers.
Apple staff members met with several South Korean vendors for the company’s electric vehicle (EV) supply chain, and discussions will continue through online meetings. Some companies who already partner with Apple on its smartphone business have even formed a ‘Task Force’ and are actively responding to Apple.
For the batteries that will power the Apple Car, the company reportedly met with South Korea-based LG and SK Innovation.
The tech behemoth also held extensive talks with one unnamed domestic manufacturer of electronic parts, to which Apple even extended an offer of an equity investment. In return, Apple demanded that the company double its production capacity to meet its needs.
There is no word on specifications and target performance for the Apple Car as of yet, despite Apple being deep in discussions with prospective vendors. Not only is it still early days for development, but Apple is also especially insistent on keeping everything hush-hush for its EV project.
In a translation from Korean, an official from the domestic parts industry said, “The business related to Apple Car is being done under the surface. If the information is leaked by a company, then the company may be removed from the supplier candidate. It is being handled very carefully.”
Apple is not only being stringent in its supply demands, but it is also placing strict restrictions on prospective parts manufacturers for its EV project.
“There are many parts companies that do not even consider becoming partners because the conditions that Apple Car business demands are so harsh. And security is very strict, so sharing information is not easy.”
The Apple Car project lost several engineers, key managers, and employees last year, with four engineers departing last month alone.
Apple will reportedly complete the selection of suppliers for the Apple Car by the end of this year and is highly interested in recruiting some South Korean manufacturers. The company is expected to start full-scale development as soon as the supply chain is locked in.
Project Titan is starting to take shape, and the latest rumors have the Apple Car hitting markets sometime in 2025.
