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Apple looking to Korea and Japan for 'Apple Car,' plans 2024 launch

Apple has still not officially commented on claims that it plans an "Apple Car."

A new report backs up previous ones that Apple is looking to launch "Apple Car" in 2024, and is now visiting to both Korean and Japanese car manufacturers.

Previously sources have claimed that Apple will introduce the "Apple Car" sooner than expected, in 2024 instead of 2027. Now a new report backs up that date, and says that Apple executives are currently visiting Asian car suppliers.

According to Digitimes Asis, the visits are concerned with how the "Apple Car" can be produced amid the global chip shortage that is presently hitting the automotive industry hardest. As well as processors, the publication says that there are also issues over other, unspecified components.

Apple has previously been reported to be visiting car component manufacturers and assemblers in the region.

The 2024 date has also been mentioned in claims that Hyundai will assemble the "Apple Car" in the US from then. Separately, Apple has been reported to be working on a new monocell car battery design for 2024.

Digitimes has a poor track record from extrapolating Apple's plans, but a much stronger one over the details from its supply chain.

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22 Comments

byronl

said about 2 years ago

all these non tesla companies are so far behind in ev technology. i hope apple takes powertrain design and much of the manufacturing processes into its own hands.

beowulfschmidt

said about 2 years ago

byronl said:

all these non tesla companies are so far behind in ev technology. i hope apple takes powertrain design and much of the manufacturing processes into its own hands.

It's not necessary for a hypothetical Apple Car to be an all electric one. In fact, I'd argue that small, fuel efficient gas/diesel or hybrid would be more accessible to more people and be much more flexible than a full electric.

Of course, if Apple is going for "cars as a service", like taxis, busses, Uber, and Lyft, then a full electric might make more sense, but will currently still likely cost more to make and maintain than a gas or hybrid vehicle.

mike1

said about 2 years ago

byronl said:

all these non tesla companies are so far behind in ev technology. i hope apple takes powertrain design and much of the manufacturing processes into its own hands.

How on earth can you believe it would make sense for Apple to open their own manufacturing plant, an area with which they have exactly zero experience. They don't even own their own facilities for manufacturing phones and tablets. There are already many manufacturers with experience and infrastructure to build cars. It will only take one or two of them with the capacity and willingness to manufacture for Apple. Has nothing to do with EV experience. Has everything to do with manufacturing cars, one of the most, if not THE most regulated industries in the world for consumer products.

dk49

said about 2 years ago

beowulfschmidt said:

byronl said:

all these non tesla companies are so far behind in ev technology. i hope apple takes powertrain design and much of the manufacturing processes into its own hands.

It's not necessary for a hypothetical Apple Car to be an all electric one. In fact, I'd argue that small, fuel efficient gas/diesel or hybrid would be more accessible to more people and be much more flexible than a full electric.

Of course, if Apple is going for "cars as a service", like taxis, busses, Uber, and Lyft, then a full electric might make more sense, but will currently still likely cost more to make and maintain than a gas or hybrid vehicle.

Irrespective of whether Apple goes for a taxi like service or not, Apple will NEVER launch a gas/hybrid car. It's just so last century and polluting - nothing at all like what Apple is about.

ravnorodom

said about 2 years ago

So many companies want to produce EV and compete with Tesla. Non succeeds so far. It’s just damn too expensive to produce. I think Apple is wasting its resources and time on Apple Car. Apple should focus more on Mac line. I need something between Mac Pro and Mac mini…. like a headless iMac.

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