Hyundai and Kia Now Say They Aren't in Discussions to Develop Apple Car

[danny842003]

maybe so, but I thought Apple is all about premium.... hence the whole android vs iPhone debate

hyundai and kia don't stand out as premium to me but to each his own

I think you’re missing the point it’s not going to be an apple-Kia.
Its most likely going to be an Apple designed car probably based on a chassis manufactured and designed by someone else.
It’s not that Hyundai can’t manufacture premium it’s just that it’s not their market.

 

[Suckfest 9001]

It's not about greed, it's about making better products that people are willing to pay a premium for. You don't remember the dreck that was the phone industry. Heck, most computers today still suck: poor build quality, blah aesthetics. I mean, most stuff is basically crap until you get to a certain price point.

If you can't afford that price point, too bad. But don't call it greed.

Lmao ok yeah excluding the 3.5mm adapter and the charger brick and included earphones isn’t greed. Sounds good, thanks for clearing that up

can’t wait for the EnViRoNmEnT argument that totally ignores the fact that the vast vast vast majority of people don’t have a USB C brick lying around

 

[darcyf]

Apple needs them more than Hyundai/Kia needs Apple. If it’s true what other realistic options does Apple have?

This is incorrect. Apple can explore other options, maybe not as good but they have them. Kia has one option, partner and increase business, or don’t and lose that opportunity.

 

[Act3]

I think you’re missing the point it’s not going to be an apple-Kia.
Its most likely going to be an Apple designed car probably based on a chassis manufactured and designed by someone else.
It’s not that Hyundai can’t manufacture premium it’s just that it’s not their market.

no I am not missing the point, are any of the components used in an iPhone or iPad sub par? what if they got their screens for the phones from hisense or daewoo ?

 

[ilikewhey]

If by selling “like hot cakes you mean barely 5% of the sales
volume of (pick from Toyota, Ford, GM, VW) then you might be correct.

5 percent of sales? as in market share tesla has? yeah they still ramping up production, giga berlin is coming, right now giga shanghai is covering two continents.

 

[mrr]

The technology expert rumor mill is really expert about generating rumors.

 

[Student of Life]

This is incorrect. Apple can explore other options, maybe not as good but they have them. Kia has one option, partner and increase business, or don’t and lose that opportunity.

Thats what im implying, what other option does Apple have? I get the impression they want to have the initial batch of Apple cars made in the USA. Hyundai/Kia are not hurting for sales. The Hyundai Palisade and the Kia Telluride are selling very well. The GV80 in an electric version will be very competitive and is very visually appealing. Just on designs alone, they are in the right direction.

Generally Apple can negotiate from a position of power, think music with iTunes etc, that is clearly not the case here. In hindsight the ideal move would have been to partner or buy Tesla when they where down financially. I like Apple and want them to enter the market but im confused with who their target audience is, or what price range are they looking at (Maybe its to early to speculate). The market will be very competitive in a short time but thats something Apple is used to doing, going into a market and changing things.

 

[goobot]

Of course you can’t see it being successful. You have no idea what it will look like, be priced at, who will manufacture it etc.

However, to compare it to the Edition Watch is silly. Also, Edition Watches are still around and are titanium now.

I was referring to the gold one, a market Apple overreached into and thought they could penetrate with marketing, when it came down to it no one wanted to spend 10-20k on a watch that would be worthless in 3 years. An Apple car imo will be over priced and offer little over competition.

 

[tooltalk]

maybe so, but I thought Apple is all about premium.... hence the whole android vs iPhone debate

hyundai and kia don't stand out as premium to me but to each his own

Apple as a premium brand can't stand on their "brand" loyalty alone -- it must also be backed up by quality and innovation.

Hyundai/Kia as Apple's partner don't have to be Apple's equal in brand recognition -- Apple just need a partner who could fill the quality and innovation gap and Hyundai/Kia are a very strong candidate.

 

[tooltalk]

Hello World! Delete me!

 

[darcyf]

Thats what im implying, what other option does Apple have? I get the impression they want to have the initial batch of Apple cars made in the USA. Hyundai/Kia are not hurting for sales. The Hyundai Palisade and the Kia Telluride are selling very well. The GV80 in an electric version will be very competitive and is very visually appealing. Just on designs alone, they are in the right direction.

Generally Apple can negotiate from a position of power, think music with iTunes etc, that is clearly not the case here. In hindsight the ideal move would have been to partner or buy Tesla when they where down financially. I like Apple and want them to enter the market but im confused with who their target audience is, or what price range are they looking at (Maybe its to early to speculate). The market will be very competitive in a short time but thats something Apple is used to doing, going into a market and changing things.

No successful business has ever made a decision based on the notion that they’re not hurting for sales. All large, successful businesses want to grow, scale, increase revenue. Losing this partnership would be incredibly painful for Kia. For apple it would merely be less ideal.

 

[tillathenun]

As they shouldn't be.... Do you really think high end Apple wants to associate with budget market vehicles such as Kia or Hyundai? yes I know the sonata is ranked fairly high in the sedan market but they are still budget vehicles.

But they're built very well and their EV powertrain is one of the best in the industry. The e-Niro gets about the same efficiency as the Tesla Model 3, and the e-Niro isn't even a ground-up EV.

The EV platform Apple would use, called E-GMP, seems fantastic. Fast, efficient and an 18-minute charge time.

 

[tooltalk]

But they're built very well and their EV powertrain is one of the best in the industry. The e-Niro gets about the same efficiency as the Tesla Model 3, and the e-Niro isn't even a ground-up EV.

The EV platform Apple would use, called E-GMP, seems fantastic. Fast, efficient and an 18-minute charge time.

Hyundai's EV collaboration with Rimac, aka, E-GMP, reminds me of Samsung's collaboration with Intrinsity that resulted in the Hummingbird core, which also became the basis of the A4. Too bad Hyundai couldn't buy Rimac outright, away from VW and Porsche.

 

[tooltalk]

No successful business has ever made a decision based on the notion that they’re not hurting for sales. All large, successful businesses want to grow, scale, increase revenue. Losing this partnership would be incredibly painful for Kia. For apple it would merely be less ideal.

Do you think GM is feeling a lot of incredible pain because they refused free-money and unlimited business opportunity from Nikola? Unlike Apple who is more or less still unprepared for the EV or future mobility market, Hyundai/Kia are almost already there and in a very good position to lead the mass-EV market. Their products are still improving leaps and bounds in quality, style and performance. Sure, Hyunda/Kia would get there with or without Apple.

 

[newyorksole]

I was referring to the gold one, a market Apple overreached into and thought they could penetrate with marketing, when it came down to it no one wanted to spend 10-20k on a watch that would be worthless in 3 years. An Apple car imo will be over priced and offer little over competition.

If you’re gonna compare the Apple Watch to their potential car you can’t just focus on the Edition. The AW itself is extremely successful and has ben great since the beginning. Yeah Apple flopped with the gold model, but there will likely been a couple of models of the car and some definitely affordable.

 

[darcyf]

Do you think GM is feeling a lot of incredible pain because they refused free-money and unlimited business opportunity from Nikola? Unlike Apple who is more or less still unprepared for the EV or future mobility market, Hyundai/Kia are almost already there and in a very good position to lead the mass-EV market. Their products are still improving leaps and bounds in quality, style and performance. Sure, Hyunda/Kia would get there with or without Apple.

Has nothing to do with them getting there. This isn’t a deal to help Kia build their own ev. This is to manufacture a car for Apple to apple’s spec. The deal would mean more revenue for Kia. Losing the deal would mean losing a massive revenue opportunity, regardless of their own plans or successes in the ev market.

 

[tooltalk]

Has nothing to do with them getting there. This isn’t a deal to help Kia build their own ev. This is to manufacture a car for Apple to apple’s spec. The deal would mean more revenue for Kia. Losing the deal would mean losing a massive revenue opportunity, regardless of their own plans or successes in the ev market.

If Apple just need manufacturing partners who mindlessly assemble cars "to Apple's spec," there are a lot of better, low-cost candidates out there. According to Ming Chi Kuo, Apple also want to use Hyunda/Kia's E-GMP platform and their automotive engineering and manufacturng expertise, which Apple do not have.

Further, have you ever considered Hyundai's risk if Apple fail to meet their end of the bargain? Don't you remember that Samsung dropped $3.5+B in additional OLED capacity in 2015-16 only to see Apple's overly ambitious sales projection falter in 2017-2019? Apple had to pay something to the tune of $700M and $900M in penalty to reduce Samsung's loss. Apple maximizes their profit by not throwing money at projects that they can't handle. Hyundai could end up holding the bag if the deal sours.

 

[Student of Life]

Has nothing to do with them getting there. This isn’t a deal to help Kia build their own ev. This is to manufacture a car for Apple to apple’s spec. The deal would mean more revenue for Kia. Losing the deal would mean losing a massive revenue opportunity, regardless of their own plans or successes in the ev market.

But its not, this is like someone arguing Apple should get market share at the expense of its margins. Hyundai/ Kia are doing great and don't need Apple like Apple needs them. Thats the simple reality here. If Apple had in hindsight bought Tesla, they wouldn't be in this situation. Im sure Apple will eventually find a partner but it will cost them $$$.

Hyundai/Kia will make more per electronic car they make vs what Apple will pay for them to build a car. The demand for electronic cars is getting bigger and bigger, not to mention tax incentives the current administration has planned.

If the alleged deal was good for both parties, it would have been signed already. If Hyundai/Kia wanted this deal to come back, you would hear leaks about it, you hear the total opposite instead about how they are not a good fit etc. The it's not you, it's me break up story which means its you. This means Apple either pays more or finds another partner. Maybe Apple decides to build a plant like Tesla but no way they can reach the 2025 goal at that rate.

 

[anthogag]

Apple could partner with Ford or GM or Canadian auto suppliers.…”designed in California”

 

[darcyf]

If Apple just need manufacturing partners who mindlessly assemble cars "to Apple's spec," there are a lot of better, low-cost candidates out there. According to Ming Chi Kuo, Apple also want to use Hyunda/Kia's E-GMP platform and their automotive engineering and manufacturng expertise, which Apple do not have.

Further, have you ever considered Hyundai's risk if Apple fail to meet their end of the bargain? Don't you remember that Samsung dropped $3.5+B in additional OLED capacity in 2015-16 only to see Apple's overly ambitious sales projection falter in 2017-2019? Apple had to pay something to the tune of $700M and $900M in penalty to reduce Samsung's loss. Apple maximizes their profit by not throwing money at projects that they can't handle. Hyundai could end up holding the bag if the deal sours.

That’s the risk/reward of making a deal. Bottom line is Apple could take their business elsewhere. And if this was such a risky move for Kia then they wouldn’t be considering it in the first place.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I am not surprised by this news. It will be interesting to see how many times the merry-go-round spins with different car manufacturers, until there is an iron glad, ink on paper agreement.

 

[darcyf]

But its not, this is like someone arguing Apple should get market share at the expense of its margins. Hyundai/ Kia are doing great and don't need Apple like Apple needs them. Thats the simple reality here. If Apple had in hindsight bought Tesla, they wouldn't be in this situation. Im sure Apple will eventually find a partner but it will cost them $$$.

Hyundai/Kia will make more per electronic car they make vs what Apple will pay for them to build a car. The demand for electronic cars is getting bigger and bigger, not to mention tax incentives the current administration has planned.

If the alleged deal was good for both parties, it would have been signed already. If Hyundai/Kia wanted this deal to come back, you would hear leaks about it, you hear the total opposite instead about how they are not a good fit etc. The it's not you, it's me break up story which means its you. This means Apple either pays more or finds another partner. Maybe Apple decides to build a plant like Tesla but no way they can reach the 2025 goal at that rate.

Yup. They could build their own plant. Or take their business elsewhere. Apple has a lot of options. They don’t develop products that put them in a corner. They’d rather wait and be last to market than compromise to meet some rumoured deadline. Their products are made on their terms, regardless of who manufactures which parts, and that’s why they inevitably dominate whenever they enter their respective market.

 

[tooltalk]

That’s the risk/reward of making a deal. Bottom line is Apple could take their business elsewhere. And if this was such a risky move for Kia then they wouldn’t be considering it in the first place.

Sure, Hyundai/Kia aren't the one going around asking for partnership/collaboration. They don't need such partnership. I hope Apple find a new partner, preferably, Nissan or Mitsubishi, or, better yet, instead build their own plant and engineer own EV platform and batteries from ground up with the gazillions they stashed away in oversea tax heaven.

 

[Smartass]

Those saying Hyundai group can’t make an aspirational, highly efficient, fast charging, vehicle to load (bi-directional), 500km range EV will eat their words later this month with the official release of Ioniq brand on the new EV platform.

No mather what they release, and no mather the price, it will still be "just Hyundai". Much like the situation with VolksWagen Phaeton. It was a fantastic car, with bette technology than most of other luxury cars of that time, it cost the same, yet what eventually killed it was - "its just a volkswagen" and "If i can afford this volkswagen, i rather buy BMW/Mercedes/Audi for the same price". Brand recognition in car world is a huge factor among people.

 

[MacBH928]

Something tells me this Apple car thing is going to bomb real bad. Apple is on the verge of becoming a conglamorate. They build phones, computers, CPUs, operating systems, watching, maps, video editing software, cellphone modems, make movies, financial services, now Apple car.

The jack of all trades is master of none.