Affiliate Disclosure
If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Read our ethics policy.

Report claims Apple talking with Volkswagen over 'iCar'

Readers may want to take this one with a bag of rock salt, but German magazine Capital is reporting that Apple and automaker Volkswagen have engaged in early discussions over a concept car dubbed "iCar."

The report — available via Google translation — claims that Volkswagen chief executive Martin Winterkorn recently flew to California where he sat down for a brainstorming session with Apple's Steve Jobs.

Though still in the early planning stages, the two firms reportedly plan to cooperate on the development of a new generation of Volkswagen compact cars that would include several Apple tie-ins.

Experts cited in the report say compact cars that come loaded with several pieces of Apple gear could serve as a particular draw amongst younger-generation customers.

Apple presently works with several automakers, including BMW, for iPod and iPhone integration. There have also been rumors that the company has teamed up with another German automaker, Mercedes-Benz, to develop a radically new dashboard navigation system due out next year.



73 Comments

bacillus 18 Years · 277 comments

This whole i thing is getting out of control, if the reports of an iCar pan out.

On a personal note - I don't buy cars from a company with significant Nazi roots / origins.

denton 18 Years · 701 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bacillus

On a personal note - I don't buy cars from a company with significant Nazi roots / origins.

IBM provided the computers that made the holocaust possible, yet I doubt that you had any problem buying an iBook G4. Idiot.

wessan 17 Years · 37 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bacillus

This whole i thing is getting out of control, if the reports of an iCar pan out.

On a personal note - I don't buy cars from a company with significant Nazi roots / origins.

I think that could be just step for Apple to dominate in another industry and almost anyone has a car.

I could imagine a car containing a computer powered by the car battery (almost unlimited battery life, because it charges as you go). That computer can sync all your stuff with home computer before you leave home, then stay in touch with your mobile devices in work and then sync all your stuff with home once you arrive.

PS: I'm from country occupied by Nazi Germany (when betrayed by France, UK and all other "allies") and I have no problem buying German car. The car has nothing to do with politics. Gemrans do good cars and that's the only what matters when buying a car.

izune g5 17 Years · 16 comments

I agree with Denton and wessan. That's just stupid.

What does today's VW have to do with WWII? When you're buying a Buick or Chrysler, aren't you then supporting the Hiroshima bomb?

SpamSandwich 19 Years · 32917 comments

Bacillus just thought one could play the 'holier than thou' card and walk away intact?