For years, there have been many rumors about Apple's electric car, also known as the Apple Car. Many of them are probably wrong and not very reliable, but the huge amount of information that has been leaked suggests that Apple is probably preparing something very big. The new rumors come from a recent report by Digitimes, which says that Apple is preparing to start mass production of the Apple Car in 2024.The company is reportedly in talks about the Apple Car with several potential partners in Asia, including Toyota and LG.
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Apple is said to have visited SK Group and LG Electronics in July to discuss the Apple Car project. The same sources believe that Japan's Toyota Motor Corporation could be next on the company's list for the Apple Car. In the past, Apple has been rumored to be working with major automakers, including BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and Hyundai.
When will Apple Car production begin?
Apple has been working on a car-related project since at least 2014.
In early 2015, the Wall Street Journal reported that Titan – which is the codename for Apple's project – would resemble a minivan rather than a car.
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Nearly two years later, Bloomberg reported that Apple was focusing on software and autonomous systems that would power its self-driving car , not the car itself. Over the years, however, it has become clear that the Apple Car is more than just a rumor. Sooner or later, Apple is going to launch a car (if nothing goes wrong and the project isn't canceled).
What many are wondering is whether Tim Cook will still be at the company when the Apple Car hits the market. A recent Bloomberg report claimed that Cook wants to oversee one more major product line before he steps down as Apple CEO. That product will likely be Apple's mixed-reality headset and/or AR glasses. That report says Cook will step down sometime between 2025 and 2028. If DigiTimes is correct and Apple begins mass production of the Apple Car by 2024, Cook could be the one to announce the vehicle.
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Previous Reuters reports have claimed that Apple aims to start producing a self-driving car by 2024, so DigiTimes' focus on that date is probably not coincidental. On the other hand, problems caused by the pandemic and a global chip shortage could delay the arrival of an Apple Car to the market.
Source: BGR
