New Apple electric car unlikely to be built by Hyundai/Kia: everything we know so far
February 08, 2021 by Nick Lette van Oostvoorne
Car changing is a big deal
After Hyundai appeared to confirm it was involved in talks with Apple about building the tech giant鈥檚 first car, new statements suggest the partnership will go no further. Read on for full details.听
- Apple car project still in progress
- Collaboration with Hyundai/Kia unlikely
- Will be an electric car
- Autonomous driving modes
- Still at least five years from launch
Apple is planning to launch its own electric car, which is expected to be a high-tech alternative to the likes of the Tesla Model 3, S, X and Y. It could feature game-changing autonomous driving features when it arrives in the mid 2020s.
A statement issued by Hyundai to the Financial Times appeared to confirm that the South Korean carmaker was in talks with the US technology giant that could have lead to Hyundai and Kia taking a role in building the upcoming Apple car.
A Hyundai spokesperson said 鈥淎pple and Hyundai are in discussions, but as it is at an early stage, nothing has been decided鈥. The discussions in question refer to the development of autonomous electric vehicles. However, Hyundai later went on to amend its statement and said that Apple was talking with a variety of global carmakers and that Hyundai has received 鈥榬equests for potential co-operation from various companies鈥.
A subsequent statement from Hyundai reported that the Korean carmaker may have had concerns regarding Apple鈥檚 intention to source parts for the new car from multiple suppliers and have Hyundai and Kia assemble them into a finished product.
Since then, both Hyundai and Kia have issued statements confirming that talks with Apple regarding the building of a new electric car have ended. That鈥檚 not to say the Apple car project has been put to bed. Apple has recently hired a former chassis engineer from Porsche and rumours suggest the tech firm could be in talks with General Motors and Stellantis (the group that owns the Fiat, Chrysler, Citroen, Peugeot, and Alfa Romeo brands, among others) about building the new car.
Will the Apple car ever go on sale?
Don鈥檛 think you鈥檒l be able to put your name down for an Apple car this year, though. Developing a new car, especially one featuring advanced battery technology and autonomous driving features, takes a long time. And, as the failed Dyson electric car project shows, it鈥檚 even more difficult if your company has never built a car before鈥
If Apple stays the course, you could see its first car in showrooms in around five years鈥 time. As with most Apple products, however, it鈥檚 likely to carry a premium over alternatives, so it鈥檒l almost certainly cost more than a comparable electric car from Tesla, Mercedes, BMW or Audi.
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