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New Report Says Apple Was in Talks to Use BMW i3 as Basis for Electric Car Project
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Like iOS 8.0.1 knocked out cellular connectivity (pretty much the most important part of an iPhone) managed to get past Apple QC, I wouldn't trust an Apple car, as I would't put it past apple to let a software update that disabled the engine past QC.
Would that be the same Doug Betts whose last employer just recalled 1.4M cars because they can be hacked? As a Sr. VP, no doubt he carries some blame. I hope Apple keeps a close eye on him.
Agree, this one is only topped by this beauty https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_Multipla
Can't wait for apple to start selling cars... In typical style with their ios Devices, I guess with every major software update the car will get slower and slower
have you ever seen a fast 'standard' car UI/software anyway? lol
Apple and BMW were in negotiations to use the German car manufacturer's car platform for its electric i3 for Apple's rumored car project, code-named "Project Titan", according to a new report from German business magazine Manager Magazin [Google Translate].
The Cupertino company was interested in the body of the i3, which is a small hatchback that has a shell made out of carbon fiber, helping keep the car light. The two companies began talks in autumn 2014, but broke off talks before committing to check in with each other and their plans periodically. The report also states that Tim Cook and Apple senior managers made a trip to BMW's factory in Leipzig, Germany to take a look at the production of the i3.
This isn't the first time BMW and Apple have been linked to be working on a car. In March, a report from German automotive magazine Auto Motor und Sport claimed the two were in close negotiations to turn the i3 into an "Apple Car". However, BMW denied the claim to Reuters hours after the report surfaced.
Earlier this week, Apple hired Doug Betts, former Senior Vice President of the Chrysler Group and the global head of operations leading product service and quality, continuing the company's hiring of automotive experts. Additionally, Apple hired Paul Furgale, a researcher with a specialization in autonomous vehicles.
While details on Apple's car project have been scarce, there have been reports of Apple recruiting talent from the automotive industry, including poaching employees from Tesla, Ford and GM, and that the company has hundreds of employees working on its car project. Rumors suggest Apple is aiming to produce a car by 2020, but because Apple often works on projects that never see the light of day, it's possible the company could delay or shelve the project if it's not happy with its progress.
Article Link: New Report Says Apple Was in Talks to Use BMW i3 as Basis for Electric Car Project
Rumor has it Samsung heard this news and began a project of their own.
Car is nice, much nicer than the most boring unrecognizable cars on the streets these days. If Apple has to make a car then it should stand out and have a distinct character.
Tesla Motors is doing it wrong, they also should design a car that looks like car from the future.
Tesla Motors is doing it wrong, they also should design a car that looks like car from the future.
thats an ugly car! i didnt know cars like this can exist in this decade! omg!
mariusignorello said:
Woah wait, disables the engine?
I think what the poster was commenting on is your use of the word 'engine'. In the automotive world, engine typically implies combustion. Motor typically connotes electric. Pedantic? Yeah maybe, but we are discussing cars.
On topic: The i3 looks horrible. Reminds me of a pug that's been left at the pound. It's a complete 180 degrees from the i8. Hard to believe both cars come from the same company.
Woah wait, disables the engine?
I think what the poster was commenting on is your use of the word 'engine'. In the automotive world, engine typically implies combustion. Motor typically connotes electric. Pedantic? Yeah maybe, but we are discussing cars.
On topic: The i3 looks horrible. Reminds me of a pug that's been left at the pound. It's a complete 180 degrees from the i8. Hard to believe both cars come from the same company.
This project will never lead to a product.
1. Cars last on average now, 10 years. No profit if your customer wont need a new car for ten years and vice versa, no profit if your car doesnt last as well. If my apple car lasts 5 years but my neighors ford focus lasted 10 where do i buy my next car.
2 no one will pay a premium for an apple car ( yes, thats what theyll call it if it does happen)
3. current laws forbid them from selling directly and even if they could, apple would have to set up a resonavle dealership/repairshop network. How many tesla repair shops do you see out there now.
4 battery tech is still pretty new. The day an electric car, loaded for a family trip, .can go from LA to NY in one charge, that will be a game changer. Currently its from LA to SF maybe.
4.1 continuing with battery tech, the biggest impact would happen with big rigs and delivery vehicles. A big rig/ delivery vehicle that can go 500 a charge. Wow!
im hoping im wrong, but i think Apple is throwing poop to a wall and seeing whata sticks.
1. Cars last on average now, 10 years. No profit if your customer wont need a new car for ten years and vice versa, no profit if your car doesnt last as well. If my apple car lasts 5 years but my neighors ford focus lasted 10 where do i buy my next car.
2 no one will pay a premium for an apple car ( yes, thats what theyll call it if it does happen)
3. current laws forbid them from selling directly and even if they could, apple would have to set up a resonavle dealership/repairshop network. How many tesla repair shops do you see out there now.
4 battery tech is still pretty new. The day an electric car, loaded for a family trip, .can go from LA to NY in one charge, that will be a game changer. Currently its from LA to SF maybe.
4.1 continuing with battery tech, the biggest impact would happen with big rigs and delivery vehicles. A big rig/ delivery vehicle that can go 500 a charge. Wow!
im hoping im wrong, but i think Apple is throwing poop to a wall and seeing whata sticks.
The talks apparently were about carbon fiber used in the BMW i3 and i8's construction, not about the i3 design. Please read the original source. Everyone can calm down.
More generally, with the number of sources (WSJ and FT in particular, two respected business news organizations who broke the Project 'Titan' story) and recent hirings (see LinkedIn) by Apple I don't understand how some people still think this is all just for the Apple street mapping service or for future iterations of CarPlay.
Apple is working on an EV, maybe even a broad autonomous personal transport service including a worldwide charging and reservation infrastructure in my opinion (sort of a Robot Uber coupled with fast charging stations).
Sure, they may abandon this project between today and 2020, but I'm 99% certain they are working on an electric car and related infrastructure at the moment. The autonomous features may follow later in version two or three of the Apple car.
More generally, with the number of sources (WSJ and FT in particular, two respected business news organizations who broke the Project 'Titan' story) and recent hirings (see LinkedIn) by Apple I don't understand how some people still think this is all just for the Apple street mapping service or for future iterations of CarPlay.
Apple is working on an EV, maybe even a broad autonomous personal transport service including a worldwide charging and reservation infrastructure in my opinion (sort of a Robot Uber coupled with fast charging stations).
Sure, they may abandon this project between today and 2020, but I'm 99% certain they are working on an electric car and related infrastructure at the moment. The autonomous features may follow later in version two or three of the Apple car.
Rumor has it Samsung heard this news and began a project of their own.
Nobody yet? Ok, here you go:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renault_Samsung_Motors
Glassed Silver:mac
Everyone I know who drives a BMW is on a first name basis with the mechanics at their dealership. Not exactly the picture of reliability...
The i3 is a joke. A tiny, old technology battery with minimal range. If are serious they should be talking to Tesla. It has a decade in battery technology on BMW and an amazing supercharger network and the car is amazing to own and drive.
Apple and BMW were in negotiations to use the German car manufacturer's car platform for its electric i3 for Apple's rumored car project, code-named "Project Titan", according to a new report from German business magazine Manager Magazin [Google Translate].
The Cupertino company was interested in the body of the i3, which is a small hatchback that has a shell made out of carbon fiber, helping keep the car light. The two companies began talks in autumn 2014, but broke off talks before committing to check in with each other and their plans periodically. The report also states that Tim Cook and Apple senior managers made a trip to BMW's factory in Leipzig, Germany to take a look at the production of the i3.
This isn't the first time BMW and Apple have been linked to be working on a car. In March, a report from German automotive magazine Auto Motor und Sport claimed the two were in close negotiations to turn the i3 into an "Apple Car". However, BMW denied the claim to Reuters hours after the report surfaced.
Earlier this week, Apple hired Doug Betts, former Senior Vice President of the Chrysler Group and the global head of operations leading product service and quality, continuing the company's hiring of automotive experts. Additionally, Apple hired Paul Furgale, a researcher with a specialization in autonomous vehicles.
While details on Apple's car project have been scarce, there have been reports of Apple recruiting talent from the automotive industry, including poaching employees from Tesla, Ford and GM, and that the company has hundreds of employees working on its car project. Rumors suggest Apple is aiming to produce a car by 2020, but because Apple often works on projects that never see the light of day, it's possible the company could delay or shelve the project if it's not happy with its progress.
Article Link: New Report Says Apple Was in Talks to Use BMW i3 as Basis for Electric Car Project
Ferrari and Lamborghini among others already design cars that look something from the future. If Apple is going to sell millions of cars a year they are gong to have to be a bit cheaper than $80K.
I guess I'm the only one who likes the design of the BMW i3