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EVs are faster, more reliable and cheaper over the long-run.
They also make robotaxis a viable business model.
Range anxiety is something I really don't have with an ICE vehicle, considering the availability and speed of refueling. If I were to buy an EV, I'd still need an ICE vehicle for longer trips and realistic towing capacity. Hybrids make far more sense for general purpose vehicles. At least compared to an EV.

As Level 5 doesn't exist, robotaxis don't either. Not sure what relevance "faster" has as they all operate on the same roads....
 
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Range anxiety is something I really don't have with an ICE vehicle, considering the availability and speed of refueling. If I were to buy an EV, I'd still need an ICE vehicle for longer trips and realistic towing capacity. Hybrids make far more sense for general purpose vehicles. At least compared to an EV.

As Level 5 doesn't exist, robotaxis don't either. Not sure what relevance "faster" has as they all operate on the same roads....
Range anxiety will go away as Tesla's 4680 batteries take over and their charging stations keep popping up. They're expanding like crazy.
Also, most people will charge at home, not at a supercharging station.

Level 5 autonomy doesn't exist, yet, but if it really is possible, then they can only be economically feasibly with EVs, as EVs have lower maintenance and fueling costs. They also last longer (1 million mile battery is Tesla's goal) than ICE cars, because they have fewer moving parts.

Lots of people buy cars due to speed and acceleration. You see those BMW clowns speeding around and cutting people off? Those guys are all going to move to Teslas. Those guys buying sports cars are all going to buy Teslas.
Think about it. Imagine spending $1 million on a Ferrari and getting dusted by a 4-door family sedan - $100K Tesla Model S. You would feel humiliated.
 
Apple continues to gain engineers, actually.

Did you also think Apple couldn’t make a dent in the phone industry? They came very late to that industry.
Apple is not a manufacturer of anything.
Unless they change, there will be no cost competative Apple Car.
 
I wouldn't be shocked if Apple uses a different lithium-based battery technology/chemistry that offers advantages over Li-ion, such as greater energy density, improved safety, lower weight, and lower cost.
 
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Range anxiety will go away as Tesla's 4680 batteries take over and their charging stations keep popping up. They're expanding like crazy.
Also, most people will charge at home, not at a supercharging station.

Will it? Trips will be a problem (considerable increase in time per vehicle to refuel/charge with only so many stations available). This hasn't been a problem yet as EV penetration in the market is tiny so far.

Towing will be a problem. Charging in an apartment complex will be problem. This isn't an improvement in capability of the same sort as the transition from the horse. EVs make some sense for the commute from suburb to city, but not as a general purpose vehicle.

This transition to EVs isn't happening purely organically.
 
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Lots of people buy cars due to speed and acceleration. You see those BMW clowns speeding around and cutting people off? Those guys are all going to move to Teslas. Those guys buying sports cars are all going to buy Teslas.
Think about it. Imagine spending $1 million on a Ferrari and getting dusted by a 4-door family sedan - $100K Tesla Model S. You would feel humiliated.
If they move to an EV for that purpose (bragging rights), it probably won't be a Tesla. Maybe Ferrari's upcoming EV toy or the Porsche.
 
ROFL, you're joking right?

Tesla may have the best and reliable EV running gear, but you must be quite the blind sheep if you've never heard of shoddy manufacturing defects with Tesla vehicles for YEARS.

But things are changing, and others are catching up to Tesla.
Other manufacturers make exploding airbags that kill people (Japanese), exploding EVs (GM), the numerous defects on Ford vehicles including the following:
  • Transmission problems
  • Roof flying off
  • Braking issues

Compared to all that, Tesla's manufacturing defects are petty if not nothing.
Panel gaps? Those are fixed in recent versions.
Allowing drivers to play games while driving? That's been patched via OTA software updates.
Rearview camera cable wearing out? A very minor issue with low costs to repair.

Tesla is #1 when it comes to quality and safety.
Uhhh... have you seen this?

 
Right. Just like phones, right?
Problem is that Apple can't use their "custom design" marketing when they're stuck with 3rd rate suppliers.
Phone component suppliers are different from OEMs, so Apple has access to the best technology as long as they provide sufficient volume. Not so for the auto industry where Tesla leads in too many manufacturing processes for Apple (Or anyone else) to ever create a compelling car.

You give too much credit to Apple's "custom design". It's mostly marketing fluff.
 
Will it? Trips will be a problem (considerable increase in time per vehicle to refuel/charge with only so many stations available). This hasn't been a problem yet as EV penetration in the market is tiny so far.

Towing will be a problem. Charging in an apartment complex will be problem. This isn't an improvement in capability of the same sort as the transition from the horse. EVs make some sense for the commute from suburb to city, but not as a general purpose vehicle.

This transition to EVs isn't happening purely organically.
4680 cells improve charging time. Hopefully we get some actual figures from Tesla soon, but I'm afraid they're trying to avoid an Osbourne effect by giving concrete facts too early. We'll know soon when the 4680 Model Ys get produced in Giga Austin.

Why would towing be a problem? The cybertruck is more powerful than gas pick-up trucks.

What do you mean the transition isn't happening organically?
 
Uhhh... have you seen this?

Have you seen the exploding Japanese airbags killing people? Have you seen the exploding bolts?

You have 1 example of a dud from Tesla. Tesla's quality defects are few and far between; usually, they're petty, too, such as software "recalls" over letting drivers play games while driving.
 
Have you seen the exploding Japanese airbags killing people? Have you seen the exploding bolts?

You have 1 example of a dud from Tesla. Tesla's quality defects are few and far between; usually, they're petty, too, such as software "recalls" over letting drivers play games while driving.

My tesla had a loose axle bolt that eventually came loose and caused my car to swerve all over the place on the highway.

Not to mention large body panel gaps, radio that to this day randomly stops working and requires them to remotely send some signal to my car to turn it back on, etc.

Love my tesla, but lots of defects.
 
My tesla had a loose axle bolt that eventually came loose and caused my car to swerve all over the place on the highway.

Not to mention large body panel gaps, radio that to this day randomly stops working and requires them to remotely send some signal to my car to turn it back on, etc.

Love my tesla, but lots of defects.
You're not going to get better quality from another manufacturer.
Tesla is as good as you're going to get. Otherwise, enjoy the shoddy build quality from the Japanese and their exploding airbags or the exploding bolts.
 
Luxury cars have profit margins between 8-10%. The iPhone X had a profit margin of around ~64%. I don't see Apple wanting to break into a market with such horrible margins. IF this is real it is going to be so stupidly expensive nobody will buy them except a handful of youtube Tech reviewers. This car is more Apple advertising and marketing, than an actual product, it will be a limited run product. It's going to bomb harder than ping.
 
Luxury cars have profit margins between 8-10%. The iPhone X had a profit margin of around ~64%. I don't see Apple wanting to break into a market with such horrible margins. IF this is real it is going to be so stupidly expensive nobody will buy them except a handful of youtube Tech reviewers. This is product will be simple Apple advertising and marketing, in a limited run product. It's going to bomb harder than ping.
You're comparing operating margin to gross profit margin.

But yes, your overall point still stands that the auto market is traditionally a low margin sector. That is why Tesla's 14.6% operating margin in the beginning stages of ramp-up is so impressive.
 
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You're comparing operating margin to gross profit margin.

But yes, your overall point still stands that the auto market is traditionally a low margin sector. That is why Tesla's 14.6% operating margin in the beginning stages of ramp-up is so impressive.
Ah, my bad. But yeah thats the point I was trying to get at
 
It’s almost laughable to picture Apple as a car manufacturer, but to me at least the car market in 2022 looks a lot like the cellphone market in 2007.

A huge opportunity for the “computer guys”.

Totally agree. Was just saying something similar to a friend the other day.

For anyone still doubting Apple’s EV intentions, Sony’s announcement this past week all but ensures Apple’s intentions are real and not just click bait on rumor sites. While I’ll likely not be In the tax bracket to experience their take on the automobile, I get the feeling it - like the ‘07 iPhone - will make significant waves across the auto industry.

Will be interesting watching it all unfold.
 
Totally agree. Was just saying something similar to a friend the other day.

For anyone still doubting Apple’s EV intentions, Sony’s announcement this past week all but ensures Apple’s intentions are real and not just click bait on rumor sites. While I’ll likely not be In the tax bracket to experience their take on the automobile, I get the feeling it - like the ‘07 iPhone - will make significant waves across the auto industry.

Will be interesting watching it all unfold.
If Apple does come out with a car, it will lose badly to Tesla. Tesla has the best manufacturing process. There is no way Apple, which relies heavily on the R&D of its suppliers, would be able to compete with Tesla when all its suppliers are 3rd rate.
"Custom design" marketing doesn't work when you're forced to use inferior suppliers.
 
Why would they move to Ferrari or Porsche when the Tesla trounces them in every way?

Uh, no.

But then again, it might be a generational thing. I would never buy either, but I know what they are...and what they (and Tesla) aren't. And Tesla doesn't "trounce them in every way" unless you're only know one way.
 
So, if Apple is going to enter this market, it has to be about the value they are introducing and what really is the innovation.

The iPhone in 2007 was about: multi-touch, large screen and the full Internet in your pocket. The benefits being, apps could change at any time without issue. News and information at your fingertips!

The Apple car will need to solve some of todays issues with cars. Well obviously, its gonna be entering a market where others exist just like 2007 with Nokia, Blackberry. 2027, we will have Tesla, Rivian, Mercedes, Ford and many others.

Infrastructure is the biggest issue. The charging network will need to be in place. Using Apple store locations might be a good starting point for building out charging stations within vicinity. Also, every Apple Car has a charging station installed in the owners home or apartment complex at no additional cost. It needs to have a super fast charging capability. While a Tesla gets you 3 miles with an hour charge, Apple could say their unique battery technology gives you 15 to 20 miles With each charge and their numerous charging stations across the world.

Next, Apple Car needs to solve the issue of public parking. The answer is where its autonomous technology comes in. Your Apple Car can do a couple things here. Drop you off and go find a parking space and pick you up when you are ready; or the vehicle can drive itself back to its owners home if its not too far away. Apple might try acquire or work out deals with parking garages at malls and businesses so Apple Car owners can get free/guaranteed parking.

Apple will need to build out another type of network infrastructure primarily for safety and security to benefit another unique feature of Apple Car called cruise control. Basically your car will drive you wherever you want to go without interaction. But to safely get you there, Apple will have assisted drivers remotely drive the vehicle to your destination. You can sleep, if you are doing a cross country trip and not worry.

Apple will likely use the Car to go into the ride share business. Uber, Lyft, sorry, but obviously this is a new market for growth. I can see Apple using its unique autonomous technology to pick up riders, a mature map network, ie hey, Siri hail me an Apple ride to the mall. Picked up and taken to your destination. This might be a new benefit of Apple One Service.

Finally, Apple will sell the car as an opportunity for persons who never owned a car to buy one: whether thats fear of driving, lack of mobility, old age or just can’t deal with the hassle of owning a car. The idea is that car will be a means of exploration and freedom, to explore your physical world. Apple will have an app that suggest places of interest to go see, maybe a park, a festival, concert. You can have group share where your Apple Car can go pick up family and friends and have the car drive you where you want to go.

Other features:
- Unlocks using Apple Watch or iPhone
- Takes you to your destination planned or unplanned
- 16 in display so you can watch Apple TV+ while traveling to your destination
- 5G network lets you lets you stay connected Facetime with family, friends, co-workers

Cost will be an important factor. I believe the Apple Car is not something Apple see’s as device to own, but a service itself. So, the upfront cost of owning Apple car will be easier to accept, you will basically lease it. I imagine it will be about $500 a month. Taking into consideration, this might be offset by expensing it to your company. So, for many, owning an Apple car will be relatively affordable. Parking where I work easily adds up $100 a week.

With Apple cars ability to pick you up and drop you off autonomously, or you can use the cheaper ride share option through Apple One, which would be like $100 a month, Apple Car will be a service that matches your mobility needs at an affordable price

So, in conclusion, yes, you can have an Apple branded car in your garage but I don’t think its necessarily something Apple is looking for you to own. Its more about the ultimate mobile experience and removing the hassle with driving while being safe, easy and secure service. In 10 years, services like Uber are no more, Alphabet buys Tesla and becomes the number one autonomous car service, Elon is CEO of Alphabet, Mercedes merges with BMW, Apple Car is the number one service for 12 to 38 year olds.
 
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lol... Apple is a fashion company, not a tech company. Whenever they tried to do anything technically difficult, they failed (Like how Apple Maps almost killed a group of bikers in Australia).
And Elon Mask was a financial guy, who operated Paypal. Google maps also has its share of blips. So what?
 
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