Apple Suppliers Envisioning Long-Term Apple Car Supply Chain

[citysnaps]

Apple had priced a monitor mounting arm at $1,000, a price so egregious that the guy who made the official announcement stumbled and stuttered while telling the audience the cost. If this car is ever made, how much would Apple want for it? $300,000...$500,000?

Likely around $50K - $65K.

 

[jz0309]

Typical lifespan of an Apple product today: 2-3-5 years
Typical manufacturing lifespan: 1-2 years

Typical lifespan of a car: 10+ years
Typical manufacturing lifespan: 6-7 years

Cars require service, EVs less than ICE, people are used to have some service place nearby. Genius bars ain’t gonna work for cars …

And, I had a routine service a few weeks ago and there was a person who came to the dealership with a flat tire on their <1 year old vehicle - imagine a genius handling that.

 

[subroutines]

I’m starting to think that Apple will surprise us and first release a non-self driving EV. I don’t see why they wouldn’t, and full self driving tech seems like it is quite a few years out.

self driving cars (and not talking about EV specifically) requires infrasturucture to support them (according to collegue that works with US gov't researchers). More likely if there were infrastruture support for self-driving cars they will be relegated to the city/urban areas.

In all honesty, I don't see the point of self-driving cars as they just seem analgous to public transportation where you give up your agency to control the vehicle.

 

[glenthompson]

Was that render inspired by a Trabant?

I think more of a love child from a Trabant and an AMC Pacer. I wish they would quit using that picture.

 

[icwhatudidthere]

Typical lifespan of an Apple product today: 2-3-5 years
Typical manufacturing lifespan: 1-2 years

Typical lifespan of a car: 10+ years
Typical manufacturing lifespan: 6-7 years

Cars require service, EVs less than ICE, people are used to have some service place nearby. Genius bars ain’t gonna work for cars …

And, I had a routine service a few weeks ago and there was a person who came to the dealership with a flat tire on their <1 year old vehicle - imagine a genius handling that.

But geniuses don't handle the actual repair, they just handle the initial diagnosis with the customer. Not much different from how my Mercedes dealership handled maintenance. You have a service center that has customer reps who handle all the paperwork, figure out what needs to be fixed and set you up with the loaner.

Nowadays with my Tesla, the app just notifies me of some work that needs to be scheduled (like a current recall for example) and a tech comes out to my house to perform the repair. Lots of different business models that can work for Apple.

 

[DaveN]

I just hope that whatever they do, they don't release a car that looks like the rendering.

 

[BaltimoreMediaBlog]

I think Tim Cook is a supply chain genius, but i wouldn't want to drive in any car a supply chain genius designed or by the rules of driving in a car designed by Tim Cook. And name one Chinese designed car that has made it to America. I rest my case.

 

[citysnaps]

I don't think it would be some great secret on how Apple would service vehicles it sells, either it does it all in house in places it is allowed to, or it has franchised dealers with 3rd party mechanics shops that do it.

I never claimed people would not be able to guess and speculate what options could be available.

Rather, the public won't know until Apple introduces their car and provides information regarding servicing options.

 

[TheNotch]

I hope the the final design looks like this render. It would make Apple car standout. ???

 

[wigby]

Every single day that passes, another car manufacturer designs and releases a proper EV, packed with cool tech. This self-driving thing is a red herring (at least in the immediate future). Just build a great, stylish EV and get on the bandwagon. As ever, Apple is overthinking and overcomplicating it. By the time it comes to market (if it ever does), their slice of the potential audience will be tiny, ’cos everyone will have already bought one!

You're asking Apple to simply join the slew of other EVs for no other reason than to take the money on the table. They never do that. They only enter markets when they feel they can make a real difference by introducing a new paradigm or experience for the user. They did it with iPhone, Mac, iPad, Watch, iPod and even less successful products like HomePod and AppleTV.

 

[diamond.g]

I never claimed people would not be able to guess and speculate what options could be available.

Rather, the public won't know until Apple introduces their car and provides information regarding servicing options.

A possible tell for this may be if they start suing state governments and their accompanying Automobile Dealers Associations.

Apple can either go the Tesla route or the Ford route, because of the way state laws are written they cannot mix and match (in the US). Only one of these routes will require Apple to join in on the fights that are popping up in various states. Or wait until the laws are settled (assuming settled in Apples favor).

 

[TheLunaPark]

Imagine driving round town in something that looks like that.

 

[jamojamo]

Inspired by the Magic Mouse.

 

[icwhatudidthere]

A possible tell for this may be if they start suing state governments and their accompanying Automobile Dealers Associations.

Apple can either go the Tesla route or the Ford route, because of the way state laws are written they cannot mix and match (in the US). Only one of these routes will require Apple to join in on the fights that are popping up in various states. Or wait until the laws are settled (assuming settled in Apples favor).

Good point. Apple knows how much money is at stake because of the success of the Apple stores.

 

[robd003]

Does anyone else wish Apple had bought Tesla when Elon was trying to sell it years and years ago?

 

[DelayedGratificationGene]

This thread hijacked by Tesla people right out of the gate!….they swarmed in like locusts and fast

 

[jimbobb24]

As long as it doesn't require a lightning cable. It’s time to ditch it for USB-C.

If it requires USBC it will charge in just under 165 hours.

 

[everlast3434]

Lol right? You want wheels with your car? ?

 

[citysnaps]

I think Tim Cook is a supply chain genius, but i wouldn't want to drive in any car a supply chain genius designed or by the rules of driving in a car designed by Tim Cook. And name one Chinese designed car that has made it to America. I rest my case.

Why do you think Tim Cook would/may have designed the Apple car? Although he's a degreed engineer, he doesn't have a detailed design role at Apple.

 

[jimbobb24]

If this isn’t coming to market until 2025+, anything not using solid state battery technology (for example: https://solidpowerbattery.com/ ) will be hopelessly obsolete. The rumors so far seem to be pointing at conventional battery technology though.

There are currently about 39 competing next battery technologies. They all have one thing in common...none of them have displaced lithium yet in any large scale manufacturing. So one of them might be the replacement but we have no idea which one it will be.

 

[cosmichobo]

Given Apple's pricing, one can only assume that - if the Apple Car does ever arrive - it will have a price tag that would be somewhere in the vicinity of - ?? - 2x Tesla Model S - ??

I mean - it's not like it will be an "affordable family car". It's going to be a high end vehicle, that will be so expensive it will be rare to actually see one on the road, unless you're in a very exclusive suburb.

I love the thought of an Apple Car... but it's not something I'll ever own, even if I wanted to.

 

[LukeHarrison]

Given Apple's pricing, one can only assume that - if the Apple Car does ever arrive - it will have a price tag that would be somewhere in the vicinity of - ?? - 2x Tesla Model S - ??

I mean - it's not like it will be an "affordable family car". It's going to be a high end vehicle, that will be so expensive it will be rare to actually see one on the road, unless you're in a very exclusive suburb.

I love the thought of an Apple Car... but it's not something I'll ever own, even if I wanted to.

I work in a private school, and although I commute in my trusty old Saab, I can't wait to see the car park fill up with Apple Cars in a morning when all the parents race to out-do one another. They need to do a big 4x4 to corner the 'I need a hardcore off-road vehicle to drive my kids five miles to school' Range Rover owning types.

 

[nylonsteel]

ugh - i just dont like seeing that mockup

 

[Kierkegaarden]

self driving cars (and not talking about EV specifically) requires infrasturucture to support them (according to collegue that works with US gov't researchers). More likely if there were infrastruture support for self-driving cars they will be relegated to the city/urban areas.

In all honesty, I don't see the point of self-driving cars as they just seem analgous to public transportation where you give up your agency to control the vehicle.

Another reason why I think a person-driven vehicle makes more sense right now.

 

[npmacuser5]

Very nice looking if what delivered. A bit concerned about lightening charging however.