AppleInsider Staff
The number of Tesla employees leaving the electric carmaker for positions in Apple's own vehicle group is beginning to affect Tesla's future product roadmap, AppleInsider has learned.
Apple's recruitment of Tesla workers has had a "big impact" on the marque's ability to keep up with development of future vehicles, a well-placed source with knowledge of the situation told AppleInsider. Tesla is preparing to deliver its Model X crossover this month following numerous delays.
It's not clear how, or even if, Apple's plans have impacted the Model X. The Model S sedan also suffered significant setbacks during its development, which began well before the kickoff of "Project Titan."
The story may be different for the mass-market-targeted Model 3, however. Tesla's Model 3 is tentatively scheduled for delivery in late 2017, but whispers of delays are already circulating throughout the industry.
Apple is thought to have as many as 1,000 employees working on Project Titan, with many of those coming over from Tesla. The hires run the gamut from production managers to senior engineers.
Apple is thought to have over 1,000 employees on Project Titan, many poached from Tesla.
In February, Tesla founder Elon Musk revealed that Apple offered $250,000 bonuses to lure Tesla workers to Cupertino, an offer Musk said few had accepted.
"Apple tries very hard to recruit from Tesla," Musk said. "But so far they've actually recruited very few people."
The tide appears to have turned, however. A later report indicated that Tesla employees were "jumping ship" for Apple's project, which is "too exciting to pass up."
Thanks to the mounting problems for Tesla — Â still a fragile company despite its reputation — Â AppleInsider's source "would not rule out" an acquisition of Tesla by Apple.
Musk has acknowledged having formal meetings with Apple in the past, and despite categorizing such a deal as "very unlikely" he has been unable to tamp down the rumors. Adding fuel to the fire, Musk was spotted in deep conversation with Apple design chief Jony Ive at an Oscars afterparty in February.
Still, an acquisition would seem unlikely for a number of reasons, not the least of which is Apple's longstanding aversion to big purchases — Â the Beats deal notwithstanding. Apple seems to have overcome the recruiting hump, and Tesla has already released all of its patents into the public domain.
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
Chip Loder
Malcolm Owen
110 Comments
That's a juicy rumor. And of course, I would take anything said by Musk with a grain of salt. He's not exactly going to confirm to his investors if they were hemorraging talent. And in some cases, he may not know where Tesla's attrition is going if the employee who quits doesn't volunteer that information, such as by updating their LinkedIn profile.
I don't want Apple buying Tesla. They can duplicate anything Tesla has done and come up with a better vehicle by starting from scratch. Musk makes stupid decisions with his cars.
Like giving the Model S insane 0-60 acceleration (which is useless in real-world driving) when he could have used less powerful motors. Nobody would have complained if the Model S took 7 seconds to hit 60. The cost savings would have been significant. Cheaper motors, wiring, motor controllers and battery construction (to handle the current of his high output motors all internal connections for batteries would have to be able to withstand an enormous amount of current).
Or those stupid Falcon Wing doors of the Model X.
Musk seems to like to add features that make people go "ooh.....ahh" instead of features that actually improve the automobile.
Well, maybe this is Apples attempt to force Tesla's hand in buy-out talks. "We'll just keep hiring away all your talent until you are willing to sell!"... I can't see Tim doing something like this though...
[quote name="EricTheHalfBee" url="/t/188232/apples-project-titan-car-initiative-negatively-impacting-teslas-product-development-source-says#post_2776224"]I don't want Apple buying Tesla. They can duplicate anything Tesla has done and come up with a better vehicle by starting from scratch. Musk makes stupid decisions with his cars. Like giving the Model S insane 0-60 acceleration (which is useless in real-world driving) when he could have used less powerful motors. Nobody would have complained if the Model S took 7 seconds to hit 60. The cost savings would have been significant. Cheaper motors, wiring, motor controllers and battery construction (to handle the current of his high output motors all internal connections for batteries would have to be able to withstand an enormous amount of current). Or those stupid Falcon Wing doors of the Model X. Musk seems to like to add features that make people go "ooh.....ahh" instead of features that actually improve the automobile. [/quote]All luxury sedans beat 0-60mph with 6s or less, so making a slower luxury electric car is stupid because you couldn't prove that your technology is better than gas engines in performance. It's all about image such as: fastest EV and sedan on the planet with best drag coefficient for a sedan, longest range on a single charge...Without these, no one would want to buy Tesla but Nissan Leaf.
Musk makes stupid decisions with his cars.
Like giving the Model S insane 0-60 acceleration (which is useless in real-world driving) when he could have used less powerful motors.
Have you driven today's german dual turbo-charged autos? They are insanely fast. If that is your target market you have to match or beat the performance of your competition. He's not going after vegans in a Prius.