Earlier this week, it was reported that Apple is approaching a deal with Hyundai-Kia worth around $3,6 billion to manufacture its first electric car. Now, CNBC reports, citing multiple sources familiar with the latest developments, that Apple is closing in on a deal with Hyundai for its highly-anticipated EV project with plans to assemble it at Kia's Georgia auto plant.
Apple's EV will reportedly be based on Hyundai's E-GMP electric vehicle platform. More importantly, the sources cited in the report mention that the Apple Car will be a fully autonomous vehicle and not designed with the driver in mind.
"The first Apple Cars will not be designed to have a driver. They will be autonomous electric vehicles designed to operate without a driver," said a source familiar with the matter, quoted by CNBC.
If proven correct, the Apple EV will come face-to-face with Tesla, which is also aggressively pushing for the launch of its own fully autonomous driving technology.
Apple Car, launch still uncertain
Apple expects to bring the Apple Car in 2024 and according to reports from South Korea, the company has initial plans to launch 100.000 Apple Car units annually, with a total production of 400.000 cars planned.
However, various sources and analysts, including Ming-Chi Kuo, suggest that the debut of Apple's electric car could be delayed to 2025. Apple seeks full control over the hardware and software of its upcoming EV.
Regarding the Hyundai partnership, Apple chose the South Korean automotive company for several reasons, one being its US production facility and the other being its ability to scale up to accommodate Apple's plans.
Additionally, Apple wanted a brand that could allow a high level of control over the software and hardware aspects of the upcoming EV. Apple's car will reportedly be based on Hyundai's own E-GMP electric vehicle platform, which could be yet another reason for Apple to collaborate with the company.
However, there is a chance that Apple's deal with Hyundai will not materialize. Or, Apple could also sign a deal with another automaker besides Hyundai. It's too early to predict right now, with Apple being notoriously silent about its car project, and Hyundai hasn't shared any official details about what's been going on between the two companies either.
