In the future, things could get a little quieter around Apple’s plans and its autonomous electric car, which is to be manufactured by Hyundai or KIA. This is because the South Korean carmaker Hyundai and its subsidiary Kia are, according to their own information, not currently in talks with the US electronics giant Apple to build autonomous driving cars. This is according to a statement to the stock exchange in Seoul.
It was more or less known that Hyundai Motor and Apple plan to sign a partnership for autonomous electric cars by March. According to a report from Korea IT News, with this agreement as to the basis, production of the e-vehicle would be targeted in the United States starting in 2024. As recently as early January, Hyundai distanced itself from related rumors when information became public, hinting at collaboration between the two companies. Then, however, the word became more concrete, and the first prototype was announced for 2022. Hyundai and KIA recently said that they were not entirely happy with the role of contract manufacturers in the form of insiders.
Since the beginning of January, the rumors about Apple’s entry into e-mobility, which had repeatedly been circulating for several years, had gained new momentum. So far, there has been no talk of statements from the automakers or Apple itself. Apple is considered extremely sensitive when suppliers or partners want to publicly name the company as a customer. Whether the collaboration is finally off the table is questionable. It could be more realistic that Hyundai/KIA wants to take some pressure off the kettle to continue negotiations and plans with Apple in peace.