Pretty sure that when the apple car comes out it won’t even have “self-driving.” Driver-assist, sure. But not “self-driving.”
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Arizona Vehicle Testing Site Rumored to Be Used by Apple Purchased for $125 Million
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Pretty sure that when the apple car comes out it won’t even have “self-driving.” Driver-assist, sure. But not “self-driving.”
Another piece of real estate (1100 acres in size) in northern Maricopa County (Phoenix, AZ area) was recently acquired by Taiwan semiconductor firm TSMC. A map showing the location can be seen here:
It's only about 12 miles southeast from this former Chrysler car testing ground, mentioned as having been recently purchased by Apple in Wittman, AZ.
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Waymo, the leader in the field, has its own mock urban proving ground.
It's not absolutely necessary, as there are rental facilities available, but it certainly makes the engineers' jobs much easier to have unfettered, exclusive access to such facilities.
Despite no official acknowledgement of the project, and its skunkworks-like nature, Apple hasn't been shy about committing resources to it. What may or may not eventually result is still the big question.
Tesla is noted to have sub-par after sales experience. Apple would not allow this. Apple are the world’s most well known product design company and have many car designers working for them. They also have thousand(s) of car engineers working for them for years. I’d expect some serious design inside and out. Will Tesla cars be faster than Apple’s? Probably. Will they be better designed? Unlikely. Will Apple have a better after sales experience. Given then history of the company I’d bet that is guaranteed.
It’s not about being better than Tesla in every way, it’s about focusing on design, experience, build quality, after sales and customer service. They don’t have to be better than Tesla in every way. They need simply (relatively) make a great and attractive car that does the job and is reliable. This is the beginning of the EV market, not the tail end. Apple are getting in at the right time when the technology is catching up to the needs of customers regarding range and charging speed.
I disagree.
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Dead wrong.... They really entered the market late smartphone-wise... And look at where it took the entire industry..
Because all the current car manufacturers were there on Day 1 with (modern day) Audi, Oldsmobile, Mercedes, and Ford. 🙄
By the way, being one of the “originals” didn’t work out so well for Oldsmobile…
I'm a rather loyal Tesla owner. I'm never going back to gas/diesel. Most of the EVs that are coming out these days are compromises. But if there's one company that could "put the right package together", it's Apple. Apple wouldn't have any problem buying/licensing some of what they need. And they could do worse than leverage Tesla's experience if they wanted a huge, inexpensive charging network and self-driving capabilities. One of my only complaints about my Tesla is the lack of CarPlay.
You can summon your Tesla. You just have to own the vehicle to hail it.
It's nice to use when you come out of a building and it's raining - just summon the car across the parking lot to pick you up.
There are several in Michigan, and one large one is currently for sale. For a cool $75 million, one can have a pretty amazing course, from what I've read about it. Hmm... Are they selling now to entice an Apple bid?
Yeah, but given the huge gaping holes in other manufacturers security, some having no passwords, no encryption, Apple really could do a batter job. I think an Apple Car could be a ground changing product. It could be the one to rule them all. I'm not looking for 'self driving', because I think that is still far too soon, but Apple can still come out with a stellar offering...
Don't count them out. They could also become a focus for a future in that market, getting companies to follow them in different directions.
That’s for sure.
* Tesla owner since 2013. Post-sales experience went down the crapper around 2015.
Interesting that they chose to purchase rather than continue to lease. For a non-real estate company, owning your own real estate isn't typically advantageous unless they plan to make major changes to the property or want more control over it than their lease would allow...
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
This is literally one of the dumbest things I have ever read about Apple in over 25 years. It's such a stupid comment I had to log in for the first time in years just to correct you.
Apple didn't create the personal computer. But it made it better and more personal with the Apple 2 and then the Mac. Apple didn't invent the cell phone or the MP3 player, but made them all better and went to become the world's most valuable company and brand because of that.
Apple wasn't in making headphones or watches but have the worlds best selling in both categories. Apple was never in the music business but revolutionized the buying of music. It was said Apple couldn't succeed in retail but have the worlds most profitable store per square foot. Apple couldn't make it's own silicon and would fail and now have the best in class chips across every platform they compete in.
Other than the home speaker market and streaming content, it's hard to think of a category people like you said Apple couldn't do that they didn't crush everyone else who was there first or the market leader.
Ask Micheal Dell, and the former CEO's of Intel, Microsoft, and Blackberry for their famous last words before they retired.
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That's the equivalent of making your dog roll over. You do not know what autonomous is, do you?
This post is either the work of a Russian troll farm, pure sarcasm or Steve Ballmer.
Wait a minute. Am I the only one here surprised that Chrysler ever even HAD a proving ground?
I don't know what's worse, not having a proving ground or having one but never figuring out how to use it!
Yeah, not a Chrysler fan.
I don't know what's worse, not having a proving ground or having one but never figuring out how to use it!
Yeah, not a Chrysler fan.
Balmer. Is that guy still around? My first smartphone was a Windows device with the slide-out keyboard and a stylus. Sold it to a friend so I could go with a Motorolla Droid. After that one, I never looked back, not even when a couple of friends got Windows Phones a few years later. I went to iPhone because I couldn't de-install some stupid stuff that had been preinstalled on the Samsung.
The only reason I'm thinking of going back to an Android device is well, I don't want my stuff snooped on by my vendors and I don't want to be falsely accused of a crime.
LOL, I did try the shrimp, it's amazing; and the fancy ice sculptures on the buffet table? Classy, very classy.
As long as I don't have to buy my next car in "rose gold". 😬
I can't wait to unbox my first Apple iCar. I'm especially looking forward to peeling that little plastic pull-tab off the door so that I can be assured that I'm the FIRST person opening that door!
I'm looking forward to the test-drives with a frightened, white-knuckled Genius in the passenger seat! Vrrrooooommm!
Oh wait, an electric car won't go "vroom", will it?
But will the car have a notch and will the box include a charger? 🤭
