Apple surveying South Korean suppliers for Apple Car parts

The main manufacturer of the forthcoming "Apple Car" is expected to be chosen by the end of 2022, and firms in South Korea are vying to provide parts.

Backing up a recent claim by Wedbush, a new industry report claims that Apple will select its chief partner for the "Apple Car" by the end of the year. The Wedbush claim said that Apple will announce the partnership in 2022, but the new report says only that selection will be completed.

According to Korea IT News, though, the selection will be followed by the start of full-scale development. Reportedly, Apple executives visited South Korean car firms on December 11, 2021, marking the second time they have been in talks with local companies.

The publication says that it's believed Apple has been in discussions with one major manufacturer, but also that it wants to use several South Korean electronics firms.

Quoting unspecified sources from the car parts industry, Korea IT News says that multiple firms have formed a "Task Force" with the aim of jointly getting Apple's business. Apple is imposing considerable secrecy, however, which is putting some firms off working with it.

"The business related to Apple Car is being done under the surface," an unnamed official told the publication. "If the information is leaked a company, then the company may be removed from the supplier candidate. It is being handled very carefully."

"There are many parts companies that do not even consider becoming partners because the conditions that Apple car business demands are so harsh," continued the official. "And security is very strict, so sharing information is not easy."

Separately, such secrecy and security issues reportedly led to Apple stepping away from a deal with Hyundai to make the "Apple Car."

5 Comments

ihatescreennames 1971 comments · 19 Years

About 2 years ago

AppleInsider said:

Reportedly, Apple executives visited South Korean car firms on December 11, 2021, marking the second time they have been in talks with local companies.

I’ll only believe it if there’s proof the Apple executives were wearing suits.

seantheman 19 comments · 5 Years

Apple rumours said that Apple was going to release their car in 2024. If Apple is still sourcing car parts, and hasn't built any cars. Apple is never going to make that 2024 or even 2025 release date.

JWSC 1203 comments · 7 Years

seantheman said:

Apple rumours said that Apple was going to release their car in 2024. If Apple is still sourcing car parts, and hasn't built any cars. Apple is never going to make that 2024 or even 2025 release date.

That’s not necessarily how it works. During the design phase Apple may build many prototypes, the latter ones of which would be production representative. They may build parts internally or ask for custom hardware from specialty fab houses.

Once Apple has a design they know works, they will seek to source parts and assemblies from large scale manufacturers with production tooling and test equipment to build test and ship hardware at lower cost and price.

Long story short, if they’re seeking volume production partners, they likely have a mature design.

citpeks 253 comments · 10 Years

Contrary to the story, Apple could still work with Hyundai Motor Group, via T1 supplier Hyundai Mobis, and not directly with Hyundai Motor Company, the car company, akin to how Apple procures screens from Samsung Display, distinct from Samsung Mobile, the division that makes the finished phones.

command_f 426 comments · 14 Years

JWSC said:

seantheman said:

Apple rumours said that Apple was going to release their car in 2024. If Apple is still sourcing car parts, and hasn't built any cars. Apple is never going to make that 2024 or even 2025 release date.

That’s not necessarily how it works. During the design phase Apple may build many prototypes, the latter ones of which would be production representative. They may build parts internally or ask for custom hardware from specialty fab houses.

Once Apple has a design they know works, they will seek to source parts and assemblies from large scale manufacturers with production tooling and test equipment to build test and ship hardware at lower cost and price.

Long story short, if they’re seeking volume production partners, they likely have a mature design.

I have to agree with seantheman. Design for manufacture is an integral and concurrent part of overall design; you have to do that in conjunction with the manufacturing partner.