Arizona Vehicle Testing Site Rumored to Be Used by Apple Purchased for $125 Million

[MacRumors]

A former Chrysler proving grounds for automotive testing outside of Phoenix, Arizona, that has been rumored to be used by Apple was recently purchased for $125 million by the firm that has been leasing it for the past five years, according to AZ Big Media.

Back in 2017, it was reported that a company by the name of Route 14 Investment Partners LLC had signed a lease to use the facility, with rumors suggesting Apple was behind the deal, although there was no definitive proof of the link. Route 14 is represented by the Phoenix office of law firm Greenberg Traurig, hiding the true ownership of the company.

Route 14 has now exercised an option to purchase the property, which consists of 34 separate parcels, for $125 million in cash. The purchase agreement is dated June 25, 2021, with a deed and assumption of an existing development agreement with the City of Surprise both dated July 30 and seen by MacRumors.

We have still not been able to concretely tie Apple to Route 14, but it's clear that whoever is behind the firm has deep pockets and a long-term interest in the testing facility.

Rumors about Apple's work on both autonomous driving systems and actual electric vehicles have ebbed and flowed over the last several years. The most recent report just this week claimed that Apple has been visiting with Toyota as it seeks to develop a supplier network with an eye toward producing an Apple-branded car starting in 2024.

(Thanks, Jacob!)

Article Link: Arizona Vehicle Testing Site Rumored to Be Used by Apple Purchased for $125 Million

 

[KaliYoni]

I don't know if this confirms anything but a friend who lives nearby says that around July they saw workers making the asphalt thinner, removing all markings from the roadways, and chamfering the edges on all the buildings. Weird.

 

[macsplusmacs]

If you look closely. Lower left just outside the outer ring. It's a bar. 🍺 (cheers!)

 

[Montana_Griz]

The Venusians are going to fly by us and wonder what we’re trying to communicate with them.

 

[tongxinshe]

Apple has been wasting time on this car project. It is too many years behind Google and Baidu. By the time Apple comes up with something usable, the market would have been fully taken up. When Apple is not the creator of a market, it never made meaningful splash. In another word, Apple is never good at competing in a field others created.

 

[justperry]

How big is the outer ring?
Where is the location, google maps location or name?

Edit: found it, macOS is so handy, one can actually click on the address under Address of property to show result in Google.

My estimate is about 6 KM (4 miles) in length.

 

[I7guy]

Apple has been wasting time on this car project. It is too many years behind Google and Baidu. By the time Apple comes up with something usable, the market would have been fully taken up. When Apple is not the creator of a market, it never made meaningful splash. In another word, Apple is never good at competing in a field others created.

Phones, tablets, watches, bluetooth headsets. Apple didn't invent the cell phone, table or bluetooth headset, yet they made quite a splash in those areas over the years.

 

[Realityck]

Is this Apple's Area 51?

 

[richinaus]

Apple has been wasting time on this car project. It is too many years behind Google and Baidu. By the time Apple comes up with something usable, the market would have been fully taken up. When Apple is not the creator of a market, it never made meaningful splash. In another word, Apple is never good at competing in a field others created.

iPod…..

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Holy smokes. Might have to make a visit down there, haha!

Anybody here who lives in Arizona can make a trip down there for us and share some photos

 

[justperry]

There are several proving grounds nearby, both Volvo and Toyota have one nearby.

Volvo ring is substantially smaller while the Toyota one is insanely big.

 

[GunStrauss]

wow... that's an insane amount for an empty field with a road.

 

[Realityck]

Holy smokes. Might have to make a visit down there, haha!

Anybody here who lives in Arizona can make a trip down there for us and share some photos

Steetview shows the entrance, a few cactus for appearance.

 

[SisterBlue22]

There are a number of vehicle test tracks around the Phoenix area...I guess hot weather testing is a big thing. I'd go visit to spy, but this is well over an hour's drive from me, so kind of a long drive just to pick up a trespassing charge...

 

[jmgregory1]

If this is Apple continuing work on Apple developed vehicles, they’re definitely playing the long game. It shouldn’t be surprising given what it’s taken Tesla and now Rivian, to go from a marketed idea to full production. The problem with entering the automotive market at some point in the future (5-10 years) is that although the big legacy players have been slow to embrace the shift to electric, they’re now realizing the benefits and at least have a stated roadmap, something Apple isn’t even to that point yet. And quality and technology with all vehicles is improving so quickly now, that it’s difficult for me to see how Apple does it better, as far as making or designing vehicles.

 

[ProfessionalFan]

Looks like a good addition to the NASCAR schedule.

 

[jz0309]

One can test a lot of cars there, beyond the "apple car" ... there are other car manufacturers that might benefit too ... just sayin ... but I guess today is "Apple car day" on MR

 

[PJWilkin]

This could even be an Amazon purchase
AWS does have a system called Route 53

until we know the real buyer, everything is speculation

 

[nt5672]

With Apple's software bug count, rate, and longevity I can't see any rational human wanting an Apple car or to drive one that uses Apple AI.

Imagine Siri in control of your car. OMG, just say it ain't so!

 

[IlluminatedSage]

set for 2-3 years from now to hit market. so makes sense to have a private track/testing grounds. Apple certainly is taking time, hope they make amazing cars.

 

[jz0309]

and surprisingly, MR didn't inform us about this:

Apple has Won Two 'Project Titan' Patents covering an Exterior Lighting and Warning System + Occupant Safety Systems

Today the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office officially granted Apple two patents that relates to Project Titan, their electronic vehicle project. The first patent covers a new exterior lighting system conveying various warnings to surrounding vehicles in the form of different exterior lighting...

www.patentlyapple.com

 

[LeadingHeat]

Apple has been wasting time on this car project. It is too many years behind Google and Baidu. By the time Apple comes up with something usable, the market would have been fully taken up. When Apple is not the creator of a market, it never made meaningful splash. In another word, Apple is never good at competing in a field others created.

Apple almost always comes into a market already established. But it brings in something better. Music, phones, tablets, personal computers, services, etc etc etc. the list is literally endless.

 

[wigby]

Apple has been wasting time on this car project. It is too many years behind Google and Baidu. By the time Apple comes up with something usable, the market would have been fully taken up. When Apple is not the creator of a market, it never made meaningful splash. In another word, Apple is never good at competing in a field others created.

According to you, the autonomous car market is all wrapped up but I'm still trying to summon a single self driving car to come pick me up. What am I doing wrong here?

 

[klunernet]

If this is Apple continuing work on Apple developed vehicles, they’re definitely playing the long game. It shouldn’t be surprising given what it’s taken Tesla and now Rivian, to go from a marketed idea to full production. The problem with entering the automotive market at some point in the future (5-10 years) is that although the big legacy players have been slow to embrace the shift to electric, they’re now realizing the benefits and at least have a stated roadmap, something Apple isn’t even to that point yet. And quality and technology with all vehicles is improving so quickly now, that it’s difficult for me to see how Apple does it better, as far as making or designing vehicles.

And Tesla is already losing ground again. Last quarter tesla was no longer the number 1 in selling EV’s in my country, it was beaten by VW subsidiary Skoda. (Czech brand, quite good tbh)

 

[speelurker]

Apple has been wasting time on this car project. It is too many years behind Google and Baidu. By the time Apple comes up with something usable, the market would have been fully taken up. When Apple is not the creator of a market, it never made meaningful splash. In another word, Apple is never good at competing in a field others created.

Seems like the iPhone is a counterexample.