Hyundai Motor Group confirmed on Friday that it is in talks with Apple about a possible partnership to develop the so-called Apple Car.
A Hyundai spokesperson said that Cupertino has proposed a partnership with a large number of global automakers to launch an electric car, and Hyundai Motors is among those companies. They stressed, however, that nothing has been finalized and the two companies' discussions are in the early stages.
South Korean news outlets reported that Hyundai has already completed its review of Apple's proposal. All that is needed for the partnership to begin is for Hyundai Chairman Chung Eui-sun to sign the agreement, the report said.
Apple and Hyundai's partnership will include manufacturing the electric cars and developing the battery that will be used. The goal is to launch the car in 2027, the report said.
Last month, a Reuters report said Apple planned to start producing its own electric vehicle in 2024. The Project Titan has been given renewed momentum since Cupertino put a veteran of both Tesla and Apple, Doug Field, in charge of the project, the report claimed.
Sources told Reuters that the key element was a new battery design that could radically reduce the cost of batteries and increase the vehicle's range.
Hyundai sources the batteries it uses for its electric cars from local suppliers LG Energy Solution and SK Innovation, but the automaker has previously confirmed it is developing its own next-generation batteries .
Hyundai Chairman Chung Mong-koo, who was appointed to the position in October last year, said in his inaugural speech that the group plans to develop “the world’s most innovative autonomous driving technology.”.
Information source: zdnet.com
