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Apple logo in the rear-view mirror: production possibly as early as 2024
Photo: John G. Mabanglo / EPA / dpa
There has been speculation about a possible Apple car for a long time.
Now there are increasing signs of very specific plans for the electronics giant to enter the electric car business.
According to the "Wall Street Journal" ("WSJ"), the Hyundai subsidiary Kia is currently looking for partners to build an Apple electric car in the US state of Georgia.
The South Koreans had spoken to possible partners about a multi-billion dollar investment package, reports the "WSJ", citing insiders.
However, nothing has been decided yet.
In detail, it should be about the fact that Kia could start to build cars under the brand of the Californian technology company in 2024.
The parent company Hyundai talked to Apple about an investment of three billion dollars.
In the first year, up to a hundred thousand cars could be built in Georgia under such an agreement.
The South Korean newspaper "Dong-A Ilbo" had previously reported that Apple wanted to invest billions of dollars in Kia in order to prepare for production starting in 2024 at the carmaker's existing plant in the state.
The US television station CNBC also reported that the Apple cars should drive completely autonomously.
At the same time, CNBC restricted that production could start later than 2024 and that negotiations with Hyundai-Kia had not yet been concluded.
Instead, or in addition, other manufacturers could also be involved, according to CNBC.
According to the Japanese newspaper »Nikkei«, there are also talks with Japanese car companies.
Apple itself has never confirmed the rumors that have been circulating for years about a plan to enter the auto industry.
It is questionable, among other things, to what extent Apple would be involved in the construction of cars or only contribute technology and software.
Recently there was already confusion about corresponding discussions between Apple and Hyundai.
The South Korean company first confirmed this in response to media reports at the beginning of January, but then corrected itself and no longer wanted to speak specifically about Apple: Various companies had asked for discussions.
Apple is considered extremely sensitive when suppliers or partners want to publicly name the company as a customer, for example.
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