Had 3 Hyundai cars. All lasted over 150000 miles. No major issues.
Sold them with no issues
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Hyundai Executives Said to Be 'Divided' Over Prospect of Apple Car Partnership
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Sold them with no issues
I recall AT&T didn't want to partner with Apple when the iPhone came out. They probably wish they had now.
Not necessarily. Apple working with Motorola on the ROKR, and then two years later releasing the iPhone (on their own) comes to mind. If Apple did not work with Motorola on the ROKR, the iPhone would not have come to fruition when it did.
Neither Honda nor Toyota would want to be a contract manufacturer. Neither would BMW, MB, Porsche, or any other luxury brand. Apple is rumored to be looking for a "Foxconn for cars", not a brand partner.
Looking at past history it's quite understandable that any brand would have doubts in dealing with Apple.
The list of burnt companies is long, it seems the only partnerships that endure are those of companies (like Apple's Asian electronics contractors) that aspire nothing more that having the lowest added value jobs.
Hyundai on the other hand is not one of those companies. Even Samsung is much more than a contractor to Apple's products.
The list of burnt companies is long, it seems the only partnerships that endure are those of companies (like Apple's Asian electronics contractors) that aspire nothing more that having the lowest added value jobs.
Hyundai on the other hand is not one of those companies. Even Samsung is much more than a contractor to Apple's products.
I don't know about the USA but in Europe there are some auto contract manufacturers. Companies like Valmet Automotive (used to do the Boxster) or Magna Steyr (several BMWs, Mercedes, some Jaguars, Supra). These are not el cheapo manufacturers.
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because they don't want to become Aplles bitch. No car company does.
If they want a car, they're going to have to make it themselves the old fashioned way - build your own factory.
If they want a car, they're going to have to make it themselves the old fashioned way - build your own factory.
Except neither of those is likely to want to be a contract manufacturer; that's not their brand.
Exactly. There is no assurance Apple will even stick with them once they've acquired the knowledge needed to build a car; at which point thy can simply switch contract manufacturers since it's an Apple car, not an Apple by Hyundai car.
Which leaves Hyundai with all the headaches and lets Apple leave them if they decide they want to do it with another manufacturer or simply exit the business.
Just because someone wants to be your customer doesn't mean you want them to be your customer; sometimes you walk away or fire your customer.
Which is exactly why they would have little interest in building a car for Apple.
You porbably know this buty Magna/Steyr buil the Z4/Supara
Which makes it easier for Apple to switch assemblers when they want; and gives Hyundai little control over the quality or avaiability of parts.
Exactly. Car manufacturers are very protective of tehir brand image, and an Apple Car may not be what they want as part of tehir brand image. Apple tech such as carPlay, sure, build one for Apple, no.
Magna doesn't have the capacity and scale. As you noted, they are already doing the Z4, Supra, G-Class, the I-Pace and the E-Pace. Their new Chinese factory is dedicated to Chinese vehicles. Most importantly, Magna doesn't have a facility in the US and that seems to be a priority for Apple. It's rumored Magna looking to expand to N. America, but that rumor has persisted off and on for years. It doesn't seem logical that Apple would wait until Magna got that sorted when Hyundai/Kia has the infrastructure in place now.
Working with Apple is tough. But in doing so you might learn a lot. Has that been a source of competitive advantage for Samsung? It sure has.
In any case, that means the Apple Car is at least 3-5 years out at a minimum. Hyundai doesn't have the processes in-place to handle a project like this. Simple things are unknown, like "how do you source a supplier?" much less "who pays the supplier and when?"
In any case, that means the Apple Car is at least 3-5 years out at a minimum. Hyundai doesn't have the processes in-place to handle a project like this. Simple things are unknown, like "how do you source a supplier?" much less "who pays the supplier and when?"
Is the iPhone a FoxConn phone and is Apple Silicon TSMC processors?
If Apple will be engineering and designing both, why would you call this electric car a Hyundai? They're manufacturing the car, putting it together the way that Apple wants.
Infinity is like the lowest tier "luxury" brand, and is only considered luxury because it's more than Nissan's base models. The high-end Hyundais (including the Genesis) are really a lot better than anything Infiniti has to offer.
In general, putting Audi and Infinity in the same class shows a sort of lack of understanding of the luxury car market. FYI.
As you state none would have that much capacity, their specialty seems to be low volume models (or sub models) that normal manufacturers don't want to bother themselves with.
But Apple seems to (understandably) love to fund other companies to build factories and capacity reserved for them.
These companies (or others similar) would probably be willing (at least more willing than manufacturers like Hyundai) to get on with something like that and they have the know how to build quality products.
Except Samsung and Apple are in the same market; Hyundai isn't and already has a lot of experience with electric vehicles. If Apple had some earth shattering breakthrough tech you'd see a lot more interest in partnering.
I'd wager Hyundai has as much experience in supply chains as Apple; given Hyundai's breadth and depth of automotive products. They aren't some tiny South Korean company churning out a few cars. They can, if they want source virtually everything they need from other companies with the Hyundai name that are owned by relatives.
You understand that the only thing that Apple will have from Hyundai is their assembly line and the workers? Design, engineering, parts manufacturing, external suppliers, etc will be all on Apple said.
What Apple should do is just rent the damn manufacturing facility with all the machinery and workers instead of building their own plant. This will save them a few years of building a manufacturing plant and training workers.
Only a really stupid company would join bed with apple. They take everything and leave you nothing. Apple needs desperately some car expertise - so don’t give it to them!!!
It is not that easy building a huge manufacturing plant with significant output of cars. Ask Tesla. Finding the right workers is also not easy part in many states in the US and foreign countries (except China maybe).
I am still pretty sure Tim Hollywood only uses the car thing to keep employees and shareholders happy. He’s just to clever to join that race which he could have won easily taking Tesla for cheap!
Exactly this. I'm a German car guy and have never owned a Hyundai, but as a company they are better-equipped than any (except possibly Volkswagen) to build a successful car in any segment. Anyone who doubts this should test-drive a Genesis.
Or maybe Hyundai could learn from Apple and take their design and technology and build almost the same vehicle for the half the price when Apple decides to continue on their own? It is also risky for Apple. If there is any form of partnership, Hyundai will end up knowing all about the car, suppliers, designs, materials, engineering, software, etc. In fact, they will know what Apple is planning to do in long term, new designs and developments, etc. This information could cost many many billions.
Audi is insanely expensive. Infiniti is insanely expensive for the same Nissan branded vehicles but with a beluga bump. No thank you. Their design styles are ridiculously hideous. You sound like one of those name brand hypocrites. “Must have status”. If Apple worked with Hyundai. It would be “75k” for a Hyundai. It would be “75k” for an Apple. Thank you.