BMW Denies Report of Electric Car Discussions With Apple

[AnalyzeThis]

It seems German engineering sees complexity as the utmost expression of excellence / elegance vs Apple/Steve Jobs seeing simplicity as the utmost expression of excellence / elegance. (Not to put words/thoughts into people I don't know). Interesting opposite ends of the spectrum.

The moment I read word BMW I knew it is BS. Why would Apple collaborate with one of the crap-mobile world leader. If Apple would be anything like BMW it would be tiny niche player in the junk phone market. Thanks but no thanks BMW, keep your junk for yourselves! Over engineered and unreliable is the word. Oops both of these terms/words are missing from German vocabulary or mean absolutely opposite of English, well that explains it. LOL

 

[76ShovelHead]

Why BMW? Steve Jobs drove a 500SL. A Mercedes-Benz partnership would be cool. Yes I'm biased, I have 240k on the clock and I'm not slowing down.

End rant, nothing against BMW though. I would prefer Apple make their own vehicle over anything else–but Mercedes-Benz would be preferable if they partner up.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Highly doubt this story as I don't see what BMW gains.

1) BMW has a dealer network. I'm not privy to the franchise agreement but I suspect it says it agrees to give a dealer allocation to all car products. Selling only or predominantly to Apple is a direct threat to dealerships. Que the law suits and ill-will creation. BMW still has other models it depends on dealers to sell. An all-electric fleet in 5-10 years is wishful thinking.

2) Except for the disastrous Moto ROKR, Apple has never directly collaborated with another company to create a co-branded product. The reason is because that experiment was a disaster. (Carplay isn't co-branded, it's an Apple product that is licensed with strict terms but also Apple techs to advise.)

3) BMW's are already highly s/w reliant so it's not like BMW needs help in this area. It's s/w controls not just your phone but also the hard or softness of the suspension, steering tightness, how hot the seats can get, tire pressure monitoring, emissions monitoring, etc.

4) The BMW brand is already well regarding and BMW cars among the most desirable and copied in the world. The i3 is fugly to be sure, but the i8 is gorgeous. So even in design, BMW doesn't need help... maybe a head slap from time to time though.

BMW could use much help in the GUI/user friendly department. And that is where Apple would be a huge benefit for them. But that's as a part's supplier, not a development partner. No different than BMW's relationship with, say, Siemens or ZF.

 

[BobKay]

BMW is known for its driving exp. What's the point to have a self-drive BMW?

 

[Frign]

There's a reason why both BMW and Mercedes-Benz have research centers in Silicon Valley. BMW may deny it, but don't be surprised that BMW is working with Apple on a specially-modified version of this car:

Image

This is the 2 Series Active Tourer. BMW could add the sensors Apple needs to turn it into a true self-driving car using Apple technologies.

I love it how badly the license plate has been covered.

JFL 104

 

[Dmunjal]

Uhg look at that dashboard, I don't understand why car dashboards still have to look like 80's stereo towers. Although car designers are capable of designing nice clean dashboards, they're only used in concept cars.

Don't get me started on the buttons. BMWs and other german makes tend to have dozens of buttons scattered all over the place that perform various functions. Tesla seems to have taken the right approach. Only two buttons!

 

[subsonix]

Don't get me started on the buttons. BMWs and other german makes tend to have dozens of buttons scattered all over the place that perform various functions. Tesla seems to have taken the right approach. Only two buttons!

The upside of buttons in a car is that they provide tactile feedback, so you can find your way around by fiddling in the center section, and keep your eyes on the road. A touch screen needs you to look at it in order to navigate it.

 

[nostaws]

I saw an i3 on the road this week. Very un BMW like body styling.

Pretty ugly I thought.

 

[H2SO4]

The upside of buttons in a car is that they provide tactile feedback, so you can find your way around by fiddling in the center section, and keep your eyes on the road. A touch screen needs you to look at it in order to navigate it.

In additon people are going to be making adjustments while driving. They need something to happen instantly.
Nobody has the time to dangerously navigate through menus whilst doing 100.

 

[hleewell]

Forget a BMW-Apple car. I want the Koenigseggeggegeggegg-Apple car.

Recently introduced Koenigsegg Regera. What a beautiful car.

Their Direct Drive system (hybrid electric) is clearly designed to rival
the likes of Tesla P85D. This baby has 1300 hp !!!!!

To previous poster: Some dreams will not come true...

 

[timber]

Don't get me started on the buttons. BMWs and other german makes tend to have dozens of buttons scattered all over the place that perform various functions. Tesla seems to have taken the right approach. Only two buttons!

BMW's iDrive first versions also had a lot less buttons than today (like the one in the previous photo). Still even in those first versions they had the common sense of keeping stuff like the air con or volume knobs as separate commands.

Then reality and customer feedback it them and here we are today with a lot of buttons and knobs making their return.

Tesla will also improve that usability nightmare in good time.

BMW's non touch screen also allows them to mount it high on the dashboard which is nice because that's less eye travelling from the road to inside and vice versa. Touch screens require to be lower (so that someone can operate them) and so are typically a cause for more distraction.

 

[rmatthewware]

Because with NDAs in place, would you expect any of Apple's partners to say "Yup! We sure are working with them on a future, secret project!"

 

[leenak]

I saw an i3 on the road this week. Very un BMW like body styling.

Pretty ugly I thought.

All bmws are ugly...

 

[JAT]

The German report claimed that the electric car could be manufactured by BMW and sold at Apple Stores

Not in the USA, not easily. Tesla has had an uphill battle trying to sell cars in a different fashion than the status quo, and is still not allowed to in a few states.

 

[840quadra]

I wouldn't expect Apple to tie in with any manufacturer if they planned on building their own car. That said, I am talking the brand who's badge is on the front of a vehicle, not the technology inside it.

Since all car companies (including BMW / Audi) Purchase components from other manufacturers (Gleason, Eaton, ZF, Bosch, Borg Warner, Denso, etc...), Apple could easily work with some of those manufacturers to build components for whatever vehicle they decide to assemble.

Don't get me started on the buttons. BMWs and other german makes tend to have dozens of buttons scattered all over the place that perform various functions. Tesla seems to have taken the right approach. Only two buttons!

Audi isn't too bad, MMI is down low leaving less buttons high up and in your face. Been like that since 2006 in many of their cars.

I personally like tactile buttons, over touch screen, as I can do many tasks without even taking my eyes off the road. I can always voice if absolutely needed.

 

[Robert.Walter]

>70% of a car's cost is purchased from the supply base.

The car maker, i.e. OEM gives the spec and price, controls the design process and approves the supplier's design.

What is the other 30%? Reciprocating internal combustion engine, transmission and stamping, asst and painting of body panels.

If Apple does an electric car, it doesn't need the first two and can outsource the Body in White to a supplier like Magna. If Apple goes to carbon fiber it would be able to do the same.

 

[Tummy]

Don't get me started on the buttons. BMWs and other german makes tend to have dozens of buttons scattered all over the place that perform various functions. Tesla seems to have taken the right approach. Only two buttons!

I've owned my i3 for about 7 months and find the minimal dash design refreshing and zen like to drive.

We did cross shop the Model S and the i3 has a good mix of physical buttons which is lacking form the giant touch screen in the Tesla. I can adjust things like volume, temperature, seat heaters, radio presets without taking my eyes off the road, or using the voice controls. At the time Tesla didn't have routing around traffic in the Nav and that was one of the killer features for me, saving a lot of time on my commute. Tesla added that in October 2014 though.

I traded my Mercedes ML63 AMG and don't miss the 6.2L v8, 503 hp, or the 9 MPG.

I think people need to keep in mind that BMW was the first car company to support iPod integration in 2004. It's not out of the question that BMW and Apple are working together on something.

 

[Nee412]

I haven't had the chance to be inside an i3 myself yet, but a work colleague of mine has on a regular basis over the last few months.

He's beyond impressed, and he drives a top-range 1 Series. Apparently the acceleration is like nothing he's ever experienced before, and definitely nothing like he had expected after all the bad press circling electric cars.

To put it bluntly, the conversation we had ended with us both wanting an i3. Apple could do a lot worse if they are planning to partner with another company, but I doubt they could do much better.

 

[Ciclismo]

The moment I read word BMW I knew it is BS. Why would Apple collaborate with one of the crap-mobile world leader. If Apple would be anything like BMW it would be tiny niche player in the junk phone market. Thanks but no thanks BMW, keep your junk for yourselves! Over engineered and unreliable is the word. Oops both of these terms/words are missing from German vocabulary or mean absolutely opposite of English, well that explains it. LOL

Oh my, you seem rather angry. I've been nothing but happy with all the BMWs I've driven, as have my colleagues - my company has almost a dozen BMWs across 3 countries here in Europe that do on average 40,000km per year, and no-one has had any issues, apart from the odd speeding ticket. But we did have quite a few issues with vehicles from the VW (including Skoda/Audi), let alone the issues my colleagues across the pond in the US had with their US and Japanese cars (which kept being recalled).

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In additon people are going to be making adjustments while driving. They need something to happen instantly.
Nobody has the time to dangerously navigate through menus whilst doing 100.

Or 240km/h here on the Autobahn - don't hate us, come visit and join us

 

[Tech198]

if its true, its a secret..


I wish there was a app that told ya the location of where that pic is

Kind of like a Shazam app for photos.

 

[69650]

Nice car the BMW i3. If it had a longer range I would buy one tomorrow. I could see an Apple Edition being a big hit with younger BMW owners.

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Don't get me started on the buttons. BMWs and other german makes tend to have dozens of buttons scattered all over the place that perform various functions. Tesla seems to have taken the right approach. Only two buttons!

Yeah but American cars are rubbish. The Germans still make the best cars.

 

[Dmunjal]

Yeah but American cars are rubbish. The Germans still make the best cars.

I wouldn't call a Tesla a typical American car. It's made in Silicon Valley, not Detroit.

Here's some fun for you. Wonder what the Germans think of getting spanked by an electric car from a company less than 10 years old?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zuh_ylt2keg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvHTN0Yi1t4

 

[tentales]

Then you don’t know Apple or this forum very well.
Someone will be along very soon to berate you for suggesting such nonsense and that even though a phone and a car are enormously different undertakings that Apple can use it’s massive pile of money to modify oversized versions of the new Mac Pro and two Beats pill for axles to make the new iCar.
Also Apple will wrest the name iDrive from BMW and there will be nothing the teutons can do as Apple can buy them.

Apparently your conjecture is full of good common knowledge making perfect sense ? And your knowledge of international trade relations is a pool of wisdom. If money was the only consideration then why did the mighty US auto industry require bailouts to survive, while US consumers happily bought teutonic cars, more than the teutons themselves.

Before you insult others for your blind faith in Apple's infallibility, check your rearview mirror.

Dashboards are VERY difficult to design. As is bodywork.

Ya think ?! You just contradicted yourself.
The aspects of building a new car from scratch without prior experience in the auto industry is at least a 10 year project and then still far from perfect, just ask Elon Musk.


All I said was that Apple is unlikely to have a production car of its own in 5 years without a partnership and you think that's nonsense ?

 

[tentales]

I wouldn't call a Tesla a typical American car. It's made in Silicon Valley, not Detroit.

Here's some fun for you. Wonder what the Germans think of getting spanked by an electric car from a company less than 10 years old?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zuh_ylt2keg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvHTN0Yi1t4

Right, that's the main reason we buy cars for ... drag racing!

For real world sales figures, check out who's spanking who:
http://www.thestreet.com/story/12866305/1/bmws-electric-car-crushes-tesla-on-the-sales-charts.html

 

[Dmunjal]

Right, that's the main reason we buy cars for ... drag racing!

For real world sales figures, check out who's spanking who:
http://www.thestreet.com/story/12866305/1/bmws-electric-car-crushes-tesla-on-the-sales-charts.html

That was one month in August last year. The best way to tell how a car is selling is if it is being discounted.

Right now, Tesla has a backlog of 10k cars and is charging full price. The i3 is already being heavily discounted.

http://m.carsdirect.com/2015/bmw/i3/prices-deals