Chinese Automakers Shocked at Apple's Decision to Cancel Car Project

[deepspacecowboy]

Apple has been coasting since Cook fired Scott Forestall and drove Ive away. It has no hope of a rebound until Cook leaves. He’s Scully 2.0 and the Vision Message Pad proves it.

I don't quite agree. I think Ive needed to go. He's such a pretentious twit and his designs had grown incredibly stale, emphasizing form over function to great detriment. I'm so glad he's gone! Forestall was probably a mistake, but that was a long time ago. Apple had many good years, innovation-wise, after Forestall left.

I think the bigger issue is that the industry, in general, has plateaued over the past decade and no one is really doing anything particularly ground-breaking these days. I look all around the tech world and nothing feels particularly exciting to me. It's not just an Apple problem. Say what you will about Cook, but he knows how to make money and he has made sure that Apple can weather just about any storm. I don't really get the Cook hate. It's not like he's the one designing every product and writing all of the code himself. The whole industry is a snooze-fest these days.

 

[darngooddesign]

The problem with the EV market is that it will be very price-sensitive. Not enough people want $100K cars.

Hang on… do you think there are no EVs under $100k?

 

[bigboy29]

People do not seem to understand just how difficult EV business is. There is no manufacturer that is sold in the US that does not struggle, other than Tesla. Most lose significant $$ on every vehicle sold. Many customers want hybrids (vs. EVs). Large names like Ford, Audi etc. have to sell with significant discounts. If Chinese EVs enter the US market, it could be game over for most (Tesla might be able to compete because they have streamlined their production to incredible degree and they are already looking to have a model that is sub Model 3 which they will need to compete with Chinese EVs).

 

[Surf Monkey]

I don't quite agree. I think Ive needed to go. He's such a pretentious twit and his designs had grown incredibly stale, emphasizing form over function to great detriment. I'm so glad he's gone! Forestall was probably a mistake, but that was a long time ago. Apple had many good years, innovation-wise, after Forestall left.

I think the bigger issue is that the industry, in general, has plateaued over the past decade and no one is really doing anything particularly ground-breaking these days. I look all around the tech world and nothing feels particularly exciting to me. It's not just an Apple problem. Say what you will about Cook, but he knows how to make money and he has made sure that Apple can weather just about any storm. I don't really get the Cook hate. It's not like he's the one designing every product and writing all of the code himself. The whole industry is a snooze-fest these days.

Take a look at Chinese DAPs. The lack of innovation in the American tech market is not a universal problem.

 

[CARIB_APPLE]

I don’t think Apple was ever going to build a car. I think their focus is CarPlay

 

[SactoGuy18]

I think the Chinese company that is the biggest threat is BYD. But they're not interested in the US market yet due to fluid tariff situation with BYD branded vehicles, even if they're final-assembled in Mexico.

But getting back on topic, I think Apple's own research may be of interest to another company, as I said earlier. The Hyundai/Kia group might want to use it for future Hyundai Ioniq and Kia EVx models.

 

[Karma*Police]

If they read my posts here they wouldn’t be shocked lol. I’ve been saying for a while now how Apple’s leadership has been managing by spreadsheets, lacking a clear vision, and showing little appetite for taking bold risks, leaving them constantly behind the 8 ball, as was the case in music subs, video streaming, home automation, and now EVs and AI.

6 quarters of no growth and no signs of that improving anytime soon should be enough to call for Tim’s removal.

 

[Zapski]

I refuse to believe that Apple was ever serious about making a car

 

[darngooddesign]

I refuse to believe that Apple was ever serious about making a car

Whether or not they were serious, their patents and technologies developed are ultimately more valuable than an actual car.

 

[wanha]

It's not like Apple couldn't have shipped a pretty good electric car with their resources and supply chain expertise.

The more likely reason is that they couldn't differentiate the car enough from others in the market and provide substantial additional value to justify a higher price tag.

The product/market fit likely just isn't there to justify the investment.

AI is the near future and it's a smart move for Apple to focus its resources there.

 

[klasma]

Hang on… do you think there are no EVs under $100k?

Apple was reportedly targeting a $100K price.

 

[falkon-engine]

In other words, we can't rip off the Apple look and aestehtic, like we do for Phone and Watch UIs?

 

[mjs916]

They do not need to steal much in this field, as the Chinese practically already dominate the EV market.

ex-Apple employee hired by Chinese EV company stole thousands of files and fled to China

They may not need to but they still are.

 

[Criss P.]

Others EV maker's CEOs questioning what did Apple figure out that they missed. I imagine how many phones rang in China when the news came out. Panicking and regretting their decisions? Interesting to see how this will cascade and the consequences on the EV market; certainly everyone invested billions in R&D trying to get ahead of Apple's unveiling... I am wondering what would have been of the EV world if Apple's Car project would have never existed. I don't think we would have seen so many automakers getting into the "electric-world", without Apple's catalyst effect.

 

[Alameda]

“Shocked”… haha. Because you know, EV.

I’ll see myself out.

Electric Vehicle is the future. It’s the reason why new companies can enter the market now. I’ve been a car fanatic for decades — I’ve rebuilt engines and done all the other standard car repair stuff — and I‘m certain that EV is the future. I had a plug-in hybrid and, wow, plugging in at home is way better than going to the gas station. You really won’t miss going to the gas station, that’s for sure. And I think the “infrastructure” issues will sort themselves out. I rented a Tesla in Florida, drove it to a Target, and it charged from 20 to 80 percent in 20 minutes. It takes a long time to charge from 80 to 100 percent, but they charge up to 80 percent very fast. It’s not the problem you think, and the tech will only get better, like faster charging, cars being able to charge other cars, affordable batteries that can charge a stranded car, stuff like that.

 

[Ursadorable]

Probably shocked because the won't have new Apple IP to steal and put into their own products. Then again, looking at all the videos on YouTube showing BYD electric vehicles spontaneously catching fire and exploding, I wouldn't trust any Chinese EV.

 

[GeneralChang]

I don't quite agree. I think Ive needed to go. He's such a pretentious twit and his designs had grown incredibly stale, emphasizing form over function to great detriment. I'm so glad he's gone!

Ive designed my two favorite computers of all time (G4 iMac and G3 clamshell iBook). And there's no doubt that from a purely design perspective he's got skill and has left an indelible mark on the industry.

But yeah, fully agree he needed to go. At some point there he decided that he could ignore the laws of physics whilst designing consumer electronics, and it became clear that he needed to move to designing something like high-end interior decor, where nobody cares about the laws of physics so long as it looks good.

Moving back toward the topic at hand, I genuinely can't imagine how bizarre an Ive designed car would have been. Or, well, actually I can. It probably would have been a lot like that LG concept from this year's CES.

 

[Surf Monkey]

Ive designed my two favorite computers of all time (G4 iMac and G3 clamshell iBook). And there's no doubt that from a purely design perspective he's got skill and has left an indelible mark on the industry.

But yeah, fully agree he needed to go. At some point there he decided that he could ignore the laws of physics whilst designing consumer electronics, and it became clear that he needed to move to designing something like high-end interior decor, where nobody cares about the laws of physics so long as it looks good.

Moving back toward the topic at hand, I genuinely can't imagine how bizarre an Ive designed car would have been. Or, well, actually I can. It probably would have been a lot like that LG concept from this year's CES.

The only reason Ive “needed to go” is that he was part of a design duo with Steve Jobs. Once Jobs was gone and it was apparent that Cook wasn’t interested in the topic Ive became redundant and was replaced with an operations officer. That’s the real issue. Ive may not have been a good fit for Apple going forward but replacing a top flight designer with an operations drone was a MASSIVE mistake.

 

[mdriftmeyer]

The problem with EV is that people still think they are suppose to charge at charging station like they do with gas station. EVs are meant to be charged at home, overnight, then you wakeup with a car fully charged, ready to go with 200+ miles everyday, way more than the average person needs. The Charging infrastructure is only needed for road trips, which are rare for most people. Once people understand that, then EVs will be good for anyone driving less than 200 miles a day.

The base line cost to upgrade to a 200 Amp Panel, required for an EV home charging station, includes a line pull from the pole to the home upgrade and that'll set you back, on average, between $10k-$15k on top of the price of the EV.

Most EVs are already cost prohibitive. The panel upgrade is a DOA for most American homes until the Govt steps in and helps regulate that cost.

 

[Born Again]

I'm disappointed too. I don't really understand why the car has to be autonomous in order for Apple to make it. Another American EV from a company with a CEO who isn't a lunatic jerk would be very welcome.

I’m sad.

Just think how thin our cars would be.

No seriously though the level of quality would have been amazing.

People today just settle for such crap quality from Tesla. It’s disgusting.

It’s too bad their partnership with Hyundai Kia failed. That could have been great. Look at the great work the Korean auto giant has been churning.

 

[McKodiak]

The problem with EVs in general are the batteries, the charge time and the charging infrastructure. We need much better battery tech where cars can go 500+ miles on an 80% charge, charge from almost empty to 80% in 10 mins and WAYYYYYYY more charging infrastructure. For now, EVs are good for large cities, that's really about it IMO.

Solid State Batteries are coming in next 3-6 years which should address most of your concerns.

Nuclear fusion as a pure renewable energy source is also coming though still 30 years out supposedly.

 

[izyreal]

I read every 2-3 years that Apple has cancelled their car program. I have come to believe that when Apple moves from one phase of development to the next, they announce that move as a "cancellation" of the completed phase. That way when they finally launch a car, they can have a shot at the surprise splash that they love to make.

 

[wanha]

Electric Vehicle is the future. It’s the reason why new companies can enter the market now. I’ve been a car fanatic for decades — I’ve rebuilt engines and done all the other standard car repair stuff — and I‘m certain that EV is the future. I had a plug-in hybrid and, wow, plugging in at home is way better than going to the gas station. You really won’t miss going to the gas station, that’s for sure. And I think the “infrastructure” issues will sort themselves out. I rented a Tesla in Florida, drove it to a Target, and it charged from 20 to 80 percent in 20 minutes. It takes a long time to charge from 80 to 100 percent, but they charge up to 80 percent very fast. It’s not the problem you think, and the tech will only get better, like faster charging, cars being able to charge other cars, affordable batteries that can charge a stranded car, stuff like that.

I don't know if EVs are the future, but the battery is a HUGE problem, both in terms of environmental impact and the car's resale value (who's going to buy an 10 year old electric car that probably needs a $12,000 battery replacement soon?)

Personally, I'm hoping hydrogen cars are the future, but there are technical hurdles to be crossed there before that can happen.

 

[LoveToMacRumors]

Apple is seriously way too slow to make projects comes to fruition.

Touch ID under display
Folding devices

Yes, they are not perfect and will never will. Face ID sucked on the 1st devices.

I believe they could make a car, but with their current speed, they will come out in 2100.

 

[wanha]

I read every 2-3 years that Apple has cancelled their car program. I have come to believe that when Apple moves from one phase of development to the next, they announce that move as a "cancellation" of the completed phase. That way when they finally launch a car, they can have a shot at the surprise splash that they love to make.

This is my new favorite theory