Geeze, the level of fanboyism (both sides) is ridiculous here.
I don't think Musk was intending to be antagonistic, but stating something he believes to be obvious about the car industry.
you cannot just decide to make a car and be up and running quickly. The process of making a car, and getting it to market is a long, and arduous process. Even the established car companies take several years to get new models and large changes to models out their doors.
Car companies, to release a car, need to go through lengthy design processes. Drawing, Drafting, then modelling. Testing the models extensively for everything from "look" to aerodynamics. Designing power and weight distributions, balance issues, etc etc.
Lets say then you've got that all settled, you've decided on your design, and power. You have the entire industry regulatory bodies to have to pass. Crash tests. Performance tests, measurements that meet very specific requirements in dozens if not hundreds of jurisdictions, that range anywhere from required positions of lights and markers to how high a bumper can be.
it then needs to actually be built, at which point you need to either find commodity part manufacturers, source the orders, put together the factories to build it, or create the fabrication plants to make your own parts.
once you've got all this, Then you can start limited road tests and track tests (yes, all cars are regularly and extensively track tested). this process takes a while as well.
once thats done, then you can consider selling your car. And if you're talking about a new car company, like Apple, you have to start from the ground up. Dealerships/stores. Distribution networks and regulatory bodies that control the sales and distributions of automotive products, which, again are far more stringent than selling phones.
Can apple do it? Sure. Should they do? Why the heck not. Can they do it overnight? no.
I think the biggest question though is how will Apple position themselves in a market that is older than probably anyone who works at apple has been alive? Will they attempt to force their way in with 40% profit margins, and be a "bully", or will they capitulate that they cannot control the automotive markets pricing structures and play ball?
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How is Apple keeping Titan secret?! The employees must be going out, meeting friends, having beers after work. How do they describe what they do when asked? 'I work at Apple on special projects'?
Even if they never breath a word to others, even as a group they must be conspicuous in the neighbourhood coffee shops etc.
Or are they not allowed to leave the Titan compound ?
pretty much the first:
I have a buddy who works at Microsoft in a similar department
and yes, he answers the question with similar, "Yes, I work at Microsoft, and no, I can't tell you what we're working on"... and you know, thats ok. I Think most of us understand that contract obligations exist and don't push further if we can avoid it.
