Apple’s Project Titan autonomous EV challenge has grabbed headlines of late over rumors that it is perhaps constructed on a platform developed by Hyundai and its subsidiary Kia. Nonetheless, the potential deal went from “close” to “paused” fairly shortly, and now the automakers say they’re now not in talks with Apple, based on Bloomberg.
Hyundai would have supplied the electrical car platform inbuilt North America for Challenge Titan, whereas Apple would have developed the car’s {hardware} and software program. Hyundai confirmed that conversations did happen, although it hedged it a bit by saying that “we perceive that Apple is in dialogue with quite a lot of international automakers, together with Hyundai Motors.”
Manufacturing was supposedly going to start out by 2024, based on one report from Korea IT Information, so the newest growth is sort of a letdown from that. Apple’s well-known privateness is a breeding floor for rumors, although, particularly over a product as probably consequential as an autonomous EV.
It’s doable that the businesses have determined to maintain talks on the down-low, they usually may nonetheless restart. Apple has reportedly additionally spoken with six Japanese automakers, based on a latest Nikkei report. Nonetheless, analyst Ming-chi Kuo, who has file on Apple rumors, not too long ago advised Apple Insider that Apple nonetheless plans to make use of Hyundai’s E-GMP platform for its first EV, with Kia manufacturing the car within the US no prior to 2025.
