Apple Pauses Electric Car Talks With Hyundai and Kia

[ericwn]

Things in that price range usually means, built by hand, usually you are getting quality as well, not just brand. Only Apple would charge that much for a Kia...and get away with it.

It would be an Apple product regardless which of their manufacturing partners build it - from Apple’s parts.

You don’t look at your iPhone either and think “only Apple could that much for a Foxconn”.

 

[ericwn]

It's going to be a Kia. Just accept it.

That’s just totally up in the air as it always has been right?

 

[ericwn]

it doesn't matter what Apple does here. They will always be behind Tesla

It doesn’t matter what Apple does with smartphones. They’ll never catch blackberry.

 

[ericwn]

I think the issue many people here have is that they love brands and not the actual product. They like Toyota or whatever, because they think Toyota is higher quality while having no proof.
Apple is objective when they're picking suppliers, and they definitely try to opt for the best suppliers. That Apple concluded that Hyundai/Kia have the highest quality EV platform and build quality must have shocked a ton of people here. They're in the denial stage right now.

The article doesn’t indicate that conclusion happened.

 

[ericwn]

Performance, quality, user experience, etc. Apple and everyone else are screwed.

Apple is doomed. Finally we are at this stage.

 

[Freida]

So you are going to use this for everything? Tesla isn't Blackberry. Tesla is miles ahead of anyone else and as of now Apple has nothing. The power train they wanted to get from Kia is still inferior to Tesla's (if we believe the rumour) so Apple has nothing except software which we know will be the deciding factor eventually but not NOW.

Tesla's battery day showed us again where they will be very soon whilst others are still trying to reach even what Tesla has on the market now. By then Tesla will be again far ahead.
So unless Apple has some magical battery tech that we don't know and some amazing powertrain then Tesla is the winner for now and about another 3-5 years. By then we will reevaluate

It doesn’t matter what Apple does with smartphones. They’ll never catch blackberry.

 

[ericwn]

So you are going to use this for everything? Tesla isn't Blackberry. Tesla is miles ahead of anyone else and as of now Apple has nothing. The power train they wanted to get from Kia is still inferior to Tesla's (if we believe the rumour) so Apple has nothing except software which we know will be the deciding factor eventually but not NOW.

Tesla's battery day showed us again where they will be very soon whilst others are still trying to reach even what Tesla has on the market now. By then Tesla will be again far ahead.
So unless Apple has some magical battery tech that we don't know and some amazing powertrain then Tesla is the winner for now and about another 3-5 years. By then we will reevaluate

I’m pretty sure you have zero idea what Apple has in the works as we all do. They are neither rushing nor have they announced anything. I’ll measure products when I can use them.

Tesla isn’t BlackBerry and Apple is no small skunkworks. To expect they’ll be ahead forever is extremely unrealistic.

 

[diamond.g]

It would be an Apple product regardless which of their manufacturing partners build it - from Apple’s parts.

You don’t look at your iPhone either and think “only Apple could that much for a Foxconn”.

I am really curious about where it will be serviced.

 

[Glennster]

For some strange reason I have always thought Honda and Apple would be involved to go up against Tesla. Nothing against Kia/Hyundai but IMO Honda seems more of a natural fit.

 

[ericwn]

I am really curious about where it will be serviced.

Me too!

 

[diamond.g]

Me too!

That is a common complaint for Tesla, no where to service it if something goes wrong.

 

[DanTSX]

And you really think Apple would charge $500K for a Hyundai? 🙄

No.

But I do get the feeling that some of the Silicon Valley types here are secretly wishing that this thing will be well over $100k so it doesn’t become “common” (outside of CA, NYCnice parts of Florida etc)

 

[DanTSX]

it doesn't matter what Apple does here. They will always be behind Tesla

Tesla can, and will, stagnate. No crystal ball needed. It is part of business growth cycle.

People with money for aspirational statement cars don’t like to buy cars that look just like the same car from 2012. I’m thinking of the Model S here....understood it has changed a lot, but not by the metric that really matters “so and so just bought the cool new car”.

 

[dazz87]

That sucks I wanted to see How a Kis turns into a Ferrari

 

[Maconplasma]

No.

But I do get the feeling that some of the Silicon Valley types here are secretly wishing that this thing will be well over $100k so it doesn’t become “common” (outside of CA, NYCnice parts of Florida etc)

It's probably true that Apple's first car and many following will be in the $100K price range to compete with Tesla.

 

[dontwalkhand]

No.

But I do get the feeling that some of the Silicon Valley types here are secretly wishing that this thing will be well over $100k so it doesn’t become “common” (outside of CA, NYCnice parts of Florida etc)

I bet they are really angry that the "cheaper" Teslas are now everywhere. So they are looking to Apple for some "innovation"

 

[ericwn]

No.

But I do get the feeling that some of the Silicon Valley types here are secretly wishing that this thing will be well over $100k so it doesn’t become “common” (outside of CA, NYCnice parts of Florida etc)

Maybe but that’s unlikely to happen. Apple is not going to roll out a product that the majority won’t be able to afford but they’ll have some upsell options ready for those who feel more special than others.

 

[ericwn]

That sucks I wanted to see How a Kis turns into a Ferrari

It’s not a long way from an overpriced Fiat to a Kia

 

[jahall05]

While this is a nice story and all, people here are going to pay $150K for a Kia.
Are you happy about that?

Why should I care if someone wants to drop 150,000 dollars on a vehicle? People spend more than that now on some models.

 

[jahall05]

IRRC Hyundai owns something like 30% of Kia but does a lot of shared engineering to reduce costs. The genesis line is, IMHO, Lexus/Infiniti were when they were introduce; i.e. a high quality car that sold for less to break into the market.



I agree. A lot will have to do with how a company is willing to partner in terms of branding, service, etc. I doubt many manufacturers would want to build separate Apple Car Stores inside a dealership; and dealers would likely balk at that as well and simply not sell Apple cars. Look at what GM is doing with Cadillac, as an example.

If Apple decides to go it alone they will run up against franchise laws in the US. Dealers are very powerful politically and would certainly view Apple as a threat and push hard to keep them out. Going with an established, but not major player, gives Apple a lot of leverage and takes away a lot of the risk and puts it on Hyundai or Kia.



I have a friend who had the same experience and as a result is a big fan and plans to put another 100k on it at a minimum. His Sonata looks like new externally and in the interior and has a new engine as well. I understand Hyundai offers a lifetime warranty on the replacement?

Hyundai's used to be the rental car you avoided and only took as a last resort or if the other option was a Suzuki. They have come a long way from those days; despite what some may say.

Thanks for the correction. I was living back in 1998 😂

Yes. My 2.4l engine has a lifetime warranty on it. Kia’s with the same engine issues also have a lifetime warranty on the engine. These warranties transfer to all subsequent owners as well. It’s a good deal.