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Sketchy Report Says Apple Car is Years Ahead of Schedule, Will Debut Next Year

diamond.g said:
As far as I know the EU is different than NA in terms of required plugs. In EU EVs have to use the same plug. That isn't true in NA.
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Even in the EU (and the UK) we have:

AC Connectors​

  • UK 3-pin (BS 1363)
  • Industrial Commando (IEC 60309)
  • Type 1 (SAE J1772)
  • Type 2 (Mennekes, IEC 62196)

DC Connectors​

  • CHAdeMO (Japanese JEVS)
  • CCS (Combined Charging System or ‘Combo’)
  • Tesla’s proprietary supercharger connectors
And the point I was really making was that non-Tesla EVs cannot use the proprietary Tesla chargers. (As far as I know.)

I don't know if there are rules about compatibility for the future.
 
polyphenol said:
Even in the EU (and the UK) we have:

AC Connectors​

  • UK 3-pin (BS 1363)
  • Industrial Commando (IEC 60309)
  • Type 1 (SAE J1772)
  • Type 2 (Mennekes, IEC 62196)

DC Connectors​

  • CHAdeMO (Japanese JEVS)
  • CCS (Combined Charging System or ‘Combo’)
  • Tesla’s proprietary supercharger connectors
And the point I was really making was that non-Tesla EVs cannot use the proprietary Tesla chargers. (As far as I know.)

I don't know if there are rules about compatibility for the future.
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In the EU Tesla uses Type 2 connector (S/X/3/Y) and EU's Type 2 CCS DC charger (3/Y with an adapter for S/X). Word on the street is some non Tesla vehicles do actually work with Tesla Superchargers but I couldn't tell you which ones.
 
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I have my Kia Niro EV on a four-year lease. If Apple makes an EV, I will be next in line, and this sketchy report, if true, would line up perfectly with the end of my lease.
 
Apple Service Program #1
Apple Car Start Button
Apple has determined that a small percentage of Apple Car may exhibit one or more of the following behaviors:

  • Start button repeat unexpectedly
  • Start button do not respond
  • Start button feel "sticky" or do not respond in a consistent manner
Apple Service Program #2
Apple Car Headlights
Apple has determined that a small percentage of Apple Car may exhibit one or more of the following behaviors:

  • Headlight would turn OFF by itselt
  • Headlight would turn OFF when taking turns of 45 degrees or lower
Apple Service Program #3
Apple Car Battery
Apple has determined that, in a limited number Apple Car, the battery may overheat and pose a fire safety risk.

Apple Service Program #4
Apple Car Dashboard
Apple has determined that, under certain circumstances, the dashboard on a limited number of Apple may go blank permanently. A brief flicker or flash may appear before the dashboard goes blank.

Apple Service Support
Apple Car Error 53
You may encounter the Error 53 when trying to restore an unresponsive Apple Car. This error is displayed if third party wheels are installed. Please remember that only Apple genuine wheels are a safe choice for the safety of the car. To restore the Apple Car you should fit the old wheels, and only after the restore is done fit the third party ones.

...
 
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I still say that Apple has no plans to build such a vehicle. But the technology Apple developed may end up in an model from a well-known automaker. Something like a Mazda or Honda may not be far-fetched.
 
Let's just say this:

Apple are NOT EVER going to want to put themselves in a position where you would see Newspaper headlines around the world saying how their Car or their Car Software has killed someone.
No way are they ever going to wish to deliberately put themselves into that position.
And that's exactly what will happen to companies who develop self driving. It can't be avoided.
 
Be interesting to see how planned obselecense is engineered into it and where. I’d hate to have to upgrade the engine every year or two because it’s capability dwindles after each new release.
 
Spock1234 said:
You mean Apple, one of the most secretive companies in the world, which developed and manufactured the most successful consumer product of all time without anybody learning about it. That Apple?!
Click to expand...

No, I'm saying the auto industry is not one where the level of secrecy Apple would require to launch a car in 2021 is possible. This isn't "Oh it has to have FCC approval," this is "There are approvals for everything from the machinery install, to the logistical and pollution requirements for a factory that produces vehicles, plus advance notification to the NTSB that a car is even being developed for road use" and that doesn't even cover any international options. Shipping cars is not the same as shipping phones.

CyberBob859 said:
This.

If anybody follows Lordstown Motors and their efforts to get a commercial pickup truck developed, produced, and sold, you can get a sense of what Apple would have to do to get a car on the road. In Lordstown's case, they bought a GM facility that was being closed and abandoned and they are converting it for electric pickup truck production. They're trying to get their truck out by the end of 2021.

Apple would attract far, far more attention and there's no indication they are even close to where Lordstown is at. This idea of a November 2021 release is crazy.
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Yep. All of the current companies that have anything close to being released, or have succeeded in launching a new car brand have taken over existing facilities. I can't think of one who built a factory from scratch.
 
britboyj said:
No, I'm saying the auto industry is not one where the level of secrecy Apple would require to launch a car in 2021 is possible. This isn't "Oh it has to have FCC approval," this is "There are approvals for everything from the machinery install, to the logistical and pollution requirements for a factory that produces vehicles, plus advance notification to the NTSB that a car is even being developed for road use" and that doesn't even cover any international options. Shipping cars is not the same as shipping phones.



Yep. All of the current companies that have anything close to being released, or have succeeded in launching a new car brand have taken over existing facilities. I can't think of one who built a factory from scratch.
Click to expand...
Lucid and Bollinger.
 
britboyj said:
If Apple were producing a car, we'd know far more about it than we do. The requirements to even start building prototype motor vehicles in the United States are both high, and applications and progress is public.

If Apple (or indeed any shell company) had registered as such, we'd know.

Not to mention there's a finite number of manufacturing lines and facilities able to produce or assemble a car, Tesla would be the only equivalent successful example, and they're as outside the box for car components etc. as Apple might be. There's a reason Tesla bought the Fremont factory.

Again, if Apple had a car production facility, we'd know.
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Rivian was unknown until the day they announced they were at the LA auto show. And they have far less resources then Apple to conceal what they are up to.

A concept car doesn't need a production facility. All it needs are engineers and designers in a lab using parts off the shelf until the day they announce. The BMW concepts "vision X, vision 7, vision i4" had no production facilities working on them until they went from concept to P1 at which point it was already announced at reveal shows.
 
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diamond.g said:
Lucid and Bollinger.
Click to expand...

Neither of whom has cars in production yet. Prototypes do not count. Bollinger is supposed to start in 2021, and AFAIK purchased an existing factory in Oak Park.

mcfrazieriv said:
Rivian was unknown until the day they announced they were at the LA auto show. And they have far less resources then Apple to conceal what they are up to.

A concept car doesn't need a production facility. All it needs are engineers and designers in a lab using parts off the shelf until the day they announce. The BMW concepts "vision X, vision 7, vision i4" had no production facilities working on them until they went from concept to P1 at which point it was already announced at reveal shows.
Click to expand...

Rivian also purchased an existing production facility. Because the outlay to build a new one is insane — Lucid's cost $700MM and is all debt. If you're playing with VC money that's one thing, but spending $700MM on a secret project is a lot harder to do for a publicly-traded company.

The original report isn't about a concept car though. It's talking about a consumer facing launch: "the report cites an unnamed director at a major Taiwanese manufacturer who said Apple is targeting a September 2021 launch."

I agree though — This is a possibility Apple says "Here's our concept for the Apple Car!" in September, but they'll need at least 18 months, probably longer, to get something they can sell to consumers. Perhaps they could shave a bit off that by virtue of being Apple, but the NHTSB don't care who you are in my experience.
 
R3k said:
Would feel too much of a fanboy driving this around.
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A bit, yes.

If it wouldn't be a sacrilege, I'd totally put a "Yes, I'm a fanboi" sticker on it (if I had any money left after buying it, that is).

I suspect it will only be available as a lease. Which may not be the right thing for some users (looks at his 20 year old car).
 
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I'm skeptical of this report since Apple hasn't acquired a manufacturing presence required for auto.
They would also need to be sourcing battery packs, braking systems, etc.
Even if Apple build a car, they won't be building the components.
They could contract manufacturing out to a company like Magna-Steyr.
They build for BMW and Toyota.
For the same reason I won't buy a Tesla; I wouldn't buy an Apple vehicle.
Tesla, has had quality issues from day one. Paint fitment, etc.
Tesla makes great technology. Not so much great cars.
The Chevy Bolt is a much better car overall than a Model 3. It just doesn't have technology quite as advanced.

The BMW i4 is the car I'm looking forward to.
Pass on an Apple car.
 
Tesla's cars are getting better. The Chinese Teslas are literally without flaws.

The factory in Fremont is done. That's why everything is moving to Texas.

And Grünheide will build for Europe, an equally demanding market, at times.
 
The thing is profit margins on building cars is ridiculously small compared to things like iPhones and iPads and especially $550 headphones. The current automakers stay profitable only because of larger margins on luxury vehicles or trucks and SUVs. Tesla has finally made a little profit this year after years and years of losses. Every automaker is just a recession away from losing boatloads of money.

Why would Apple even want into this business? The profit margins that their investors demand would create extremely high priced automobiles. It is often assumed that Apple customers are wealthier then other brands customers, however how many here would have no issue with dropping a cool $100k on an Apple car?

Plus the automotive business is not for the faint of heart. The types of regulations, legal liability and logistics these companies have to go through is on a scale way above what Apple currently deals with. I just don't see where it gains them anything.

Last, there is something much more emotional about our automobile purchases than random tech like a phone or a computer. Automakers have spent years building images of cars and trucks people aspire to own. Does Apple mean anything to our emotions when it comes to a car purchase? Right now I'm going to say no. Maybe in time it would, but building this into a profitable car brand would take years.
 
DakotaGuy said:
The thing is profit margins on building cars is ridiculously small compared to things like iPhones and iPads and especially $550 headphones. The current automakers stay profitable only because of larger margins on luxury vehicles or trucks and SUVs. Tesla has finally made a little profit this year after years and years of losses. Every automaker is just a recession away from losing boatloads of money.

Why would Apple even want into this business? The profit margins that their investors demand would create extremely high priced automobiles. It is often assumed that Apple customers are wealthier then other brands customers, however how many here would have no issue with dropping a cool $100k on an Apple car?

Plus the automotive business is not for the faint of heart. The types of regulations, legal liability and logistics these companies have to go through is on a scale way above what Apple currently deals with. I just don't see where it gains them anything.

Last, there is something much more emotional about our automobile purchases than random tech like a phone or a computer. Automakers have spent years building images of cars and trucks people aspire to own. Does Apple mean anything to our emotions when it comes to a car purchase? Right now I'm going to say no. Maybe in time it would, but building this into a profitable car brand would take years.
Click to expand...


That is all true - but at the same time, there is currently a big disruption happening in the automotive space: everything is moving to electric cars and the cards are mixed again.

It's a once-in-a-hundred-years shift.

Apple might want to use this opportunity to shake up a market many believe cannot be shook.

Or they might not.
 
techwhiz said:
I'm skeptical of this report since Apple hasn't acquired a manufacturing presence required for auto.
They would also need to be sourcing battery packs, braking systems, etc.
Even if Apple build a car, they won't be building the components.
They could contract manufacturing out to a company like Magna-Steyr.
They build for BMW and Toyota.
For the same reason I won't buy a Tesla; I wouldn't buy an Apple vehicle.
Tesla, has had quality issues from day one. Paint fitment, etc.
Tesla makes great technology. Not so much great cars.
The Chevy Bolt is a much better car overall than a Model 3. It just doesn't have technology quite as advanced.

The BMW i4 is the car I'm looking forward to.
Pass on an Apple car.
Click to expand...

BMW builds cars that have the long-term reliability of a Soviet Lada. I also highly doubt that a manufacturer in Taiwan, with their zero experience building vehicles would know anything about Apple's plans, if there even are any. GM also builds rubbish cars and has a knack of scrapping models, so you can rule them out.

What would be cool is if apple produced a Hydrogen car, which is where the future is realistically.
 
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