Tesla CEO Expects No Apple Car Before 2020, Calls it 'Missed Opportunity'

[MacRumors]

Apple's rumored electric car is unlikely to hit full-scale production or be ready for shipping before 2020, according to Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

Musk offered his prediction to Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher at the Code Conference, where he claimed that Apple's ambitions, while admirable, were falling behind in a fast-paced industry.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk interviewed yesterday at the Code Conference (Image: Asa Mathat)​

"I think it's great they're doing this, and I hope it works out," said Musk. "It's just a missed opportunity. It's a couple years... they'll make a good car and be successful."

In September 2015, it was reported that Apple had spent more than a year investigating the feasibility of an Apple-branded car and given permission to leaders of the project, code-named Titan, to triple its 600-person team to facilitate development in anticipation of a possible shipping date in 2019.

Musk's comments suggest that the 2019 date might realistically indicate the point at which engineers confirm the main features of the product, and would seem to corroborate earlier rumors that fixed on a 2020 timeframe for the car's launch.

Q&A with Tesla CEO Elon Musk at the Code Conference.​

During the wide-ranging Code Conference interview, Musk also claimed Tesla's Model 3 would hit its prospective 2017 launch year, by which time his company aims to fulfill more than 325,000 pre-orders for its lower-priced model.

Musk said the car's design would be finished in about six weeks' time. "Almost all of the Model 3 design is done, and we're aiming for pencils down basically in six weeks, complete pencils down. And we're tabling — you know, if there are ideas for future cool things, we'll have it in version 2, version 3," he said.

Musk also expressed his doubts that Google will release a car, despite its years of testing self-driving electric vehicles, and instead he expects the company to license its technology out to existing automotive manufacturers.

The bulk of Apple's car research and development is thought to be taking place in secretive buildings in Sunnyvale, California, where late night "motor noises" have been heard.

You can watch the full interview with Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

Article Link: Tesla CEO Expects No Apple Car Before 2020, Calls it 'Missed Opportunity'

 

[Havalo]

I think he's going to regret that statement in the coming years

 

[Abazigal]

Fiery young upstart sees the need to rag on the incumbents to generate buzz for their own company. Apple was like that once. How fast Apple has grown and quickly the times have changed.

 

[Dilster3k]

Why are they making a car? Just why?
I get they ship Lithium batteries in their computers but do they really have the urge to shove them into a car?

I mean look CarPlay has to be literally one of the worst things ever, and why would they shift focus on such a huge project when their fundamentals such as the phones and computers are so extremely lacklustre currently? There's a reason why there is so much heat in the forums recently because both the software and hardware aren't living up to the legacy, I mean everything they've been releasing recently feels unfinished.

Another thing to point out is that they dropped the concept of creating their own TV set in favour of providing the software for all other TVs (Apple TV), and I believe they should do the same with this car thing and stick to providing great software for cars out there.

I'm sure they'll make something great, but I'm sure it'll be the next Apple Watch and not the next iPhone...
They really need to shift their priorities.

 

[BeefCake 15]

Musk always feels the need to mention Apple at every interview...

 

[keysofanxiety]

Why are they making a car? Just why?
I get they ship Lithium batteries in their computers but do they really have the urge to shove them into a car?

I mean look CarPlay has to be literally one of the worst things ever, and why would they shift focus on such a huge project when their fundamentals such as the phones and computers are so extremely lacklustre currently? There's a reason why there is so much heat in the forums recently because both the software and hardware aren't living up to the legacy, I mean everything they've been releasing recently feels unfinished.

Another thing to point out is that they dropped the concept of creating their own TV set in favour of providing the software for all other TVs (Apple TV), and I believe they should do the same with this car thing and stick to providing great software for cars out there.

I'm sure they'll make something great, but I'm sure it'll be the next Apple Watch and not the next iPhone...
They really need to shift their priorities.

Let's just hold off until WWDC, see what the news is Stay optimistic!

 

[garnerx]

Who would want an Apple branded car? The entire thing would have to be replaced after a couple of years when a new version of the OS renders it obsolete and the batteries no longer hold a charge.

At least it would be razor-thin, though. Ideal for parking in tight spaces.

 

[keysofanxiety]

Who would want an Apple branded car? The entire thing would have to be replaced after a couple of years when a new version of the OS renders it obsolete and the batteries no longer hold a charge.

I imagine you could get AppleCarCare on it.

 

[DTphonehome]

It's a big market. Even if tesla will have sold 1 million cars at that point, that's a fraction of the addressable market. There's plenty of time for Apple to come in and do it right.

 

[garnerx]

I imagine you could get AppleCarCare on it.

There'd be a massive queue of people pushing their broken vehicles to the Genius Car Bar.
Cracked windscreen? Don't worry, we'll replace the entire cockpit for you.

 

[BeefCake 15]

Who would want an Apple branded car? The entire thing would have to be replaced after a couple of years when a new version of the OS renders it obsolete and the batteries no longer hold a charge.

At least it would be razor-thin, though. Ideal for parking in tight spaces.

What are you talking about! I have a 4 year old rMPB still running fine with the new OS X and only lost 5% of battery capacity...no need for FUD

 

[tennisproha]

Is this the late-night crowd or the early-morning crowd?

 

[Crosscreek]

Got to get the new Watch bands done first.

 

[CFreymarc]

Musk always feels the need to mention Apple at every interview...

Musk does not have the best public poker face. He's a lot better talking to bankers in private meetings than to the press. His eye movement is his tell. The guy lost many of Tesla's key people to Apple resulting in a brain drain.

They are scrambling to finish up the Model 3 (which is not even close to done for production) by next year. If anything, this talk is a dis to save reservations if the Model 3 does not deliver by the end of next year.

 

[BeefCake 15]

Is this the late-night crowd or the early-morning crowd?

Early bird here

 

[dixido]

I agree with Musk that this is a missed opportunity. Being first is key in marketing. Tesla is already what comes to mind when people think about electric cars, just as iPhone was the first easy to use smartphone.

 

[CFreymarc]

Who would want an Apple branded car?

Look at the archive here from ten years ago. The same thing was said of an Apple branded phone.
[doublepost=1464865552][/doublepost]

Is this the late-night crowd or the early-morning crowd?

Considers time zone, for central Europe, it is the middle of the day right now.

 

[d0minick]

i obviously don't share the enthusiasm as others on here for Apples car. I really don't think they can do it on a scale of toyotas and fords. and to reach a scale that Tesla is about to achieve, i think for Apple, the year 2030 is a better call. A vehicle is much much harder then it seems. The software can not fail, metal cannot bend, hardware cannot go bad; or you are looking at massive recalls and a damaged brand. Our gadgets are not life and death, cars are. Good luck Apple.

 

[c0ppo]

I guess Apple is finally developing it's own car. I imagine it would look something similar to this:

Most thinnest car in the world. But only for one person. And the battery will hold for 100 miles or so.
If you want a better battery, and a 2 person vehicle, you're in luck. Coz there will be also Apple iCar+ version.

First versions will be bendable, but after that one they will use better materials. Be sure to become the beta tester for only 200 000$ (starting model).

 

[WannaGoMac]

Why are they making a car? Just why?
I get they ship Lithium batteries in their computers but do they really have the urge to shove them into a car?

I mean look CarPlay has to be literally one of the worst things ever, and why would they shift focus on such a huge project when their fundamentals such as the phones and computers are so extremely lacklustre currently? There's a reason why there is so much heat in the forums recently because both the software and hardware aren't living up to the legacy, I mean everything they've been releasing recently feels unfinished.

Another thing to point out is that they dropped the concept of creating their own TV set in favour of providing the software for all other TVs (Apple TV), and I believe they should do the same with this car thing and stick to providing great software for cars out there.

I'm sure they'll make something great, but I'm sure it'll be the next Apple Watch and not the next iPhone...
They really need to shift their priorities.

Probably because the whole "those who make software should make their own hardware thing" gone overboard...
I agree, the carplay thing hasn't been fantastic. Perhaps they should be making the actual dashboard devices and not just the software?

 

[JaySoul]

Nobody in their right mind would buy a pure Apple car as soon as 2020. I could see them doing OK after a few iterations with refinement but a car needs to be safe, first and foremost, and after that then yes tech will become more important.

I wouldn't trust any complete newbie car manufacturer, it's a hard industry.

 

[d0minick]

They are scrambling to finish up the Model 3 (which is not even close to done for production) by next year. If anything, this talk is a dis to save reservations if the Model 3 does not deliver by the end of next year.

I'd love to know your sources. Tesla has showcased proof after proof.

Meanwhile, Apple can't get skylake in to a macbook while their competitors have been unrelenting in releasing revision after revision.

 

[androvboy]

"Why are they making a car? Just why?"

It's a huge market and I am pretty damn sure Apple can produce a fantastic product. They were not the first to make a computer, a laptop, or a phone but generally speaking they take an existing product and make a much better version.

I think an electric Apple car, with their resources and skills will make Tesla look like a clown car pretty quickly.

Based on Tesla track record the Model 3 will be delayed by years......

 

[garnerx]

Look at the archive here from ten years ago. The same thing was said of an Apple branded phone.

A phone made more sense because that's where they saw the computer market was heading. Cars, though... It just seems very odd, unless they bought an established car brand and used that. Jaguar or something prestigious.

 

[dixido]

I guess Apple is finally developing it's own car. I imagine it would look something similar to this:

Most thinnest car in the world. But only for one person. And the battery will hold for 100 miles or so.
If you want a better battery, and a 2 person vehicle, you're in luck. Coz there will be also Apple iCar+ version.

First versions will be bendable, but after that one they will use better materials. Be sure to become the beta tester for only 200 000$ (starting model).

Nice! Do you know wether they will place the power inlet on the bottom of the car or not?