Will Apple really bring out self-driving electric vehicles? If you put it out, when will you be able to see it? Who will be your manufacturing partner?
The curiosity about’Apple Car’, which is full of rumors, is growing. There have been reports that the negotiations between Apple and Hyundai-Kia Motors have been temporarily halted, but few people think that the Apple Car project itself will disappear.
The outlook is that Apple’s automobile development project aimed at’after the iPhone’ will continue to be promoted. In the midst of this, USA Today asked 5 questions about Apple’s automobile development plan on the 6th (local time). Organized.
1. Shall we develop electric vehicles?
It should be seen that there is little possibility of entering the internal combustion engine automobile market due to Apple’s propensity. This is because there is little benefit. Moreover, it is not the’Apple way’ to compete with the existing grammar.
Therefore, Apple’s car is likely to be a’battery-powered electric car’, USA Today predicted.
In addition, Apple has a lot of experience with battery-powered consumer electronics devices. It is natural to extend this experience to cars.
However, car batteries are different from home appliances that Apple has been familiar with. How to solve this homework is a concern.
2. How is Apple Car Called?
Meanwhile, the term’apple car’ has been used a lot. Apple car has been the name used to refer to the car that Apple will make outside. It is difficult to see it as an official product name.
How about’iCar’ like the iPhone and iPad? USA Today said, “It’s too cute for a product that will cost tens of thousands of dollars.”
Apple’s car development plan was’Project Titan’. Then the Titan? In response, USA Today pointed out that “Titan is the name of Nissan’s pickup truck.”
3. How much is the price
Apple products are originally expensive. From iPhone and iPad to AirPods, they adhered to advanced strategies.
Even if a car is released, it is not expected to become a popular model.
USA Today pointed out, “If it falls below the average price of new cars in the fourth quarter of last year, it will be a surprise.” According to Edmund, an automobile research site, the average price of a new car in the US was 40,000 dollars.
4. Who will be your manufacturing partner
This is the most curious topic right now. CNBC and The Wall Street Journal have predicted that there is a high possibility of assembling Apple cars at Kia Motors’ factory in Georgia, USA.
However, as negotiations between the two companies were temporarily suspended, this part fell into a labyrinth.
Nevertheless, factories in the southeastern region of the United States are being discussed as a strong candidate. This is because the auto union power is strong in the Midwest.
Magna International, an auto parts specialist, is also considered one of Apple’s leading partners. Magna is known for being the world’s largest supplier of automotive products.
5. Should I make it a fully self-driving car?
Autonomous vehicles are the’next-generation fierce battlefield’ in the automotive market. Not only automakers, but also technology companies called Narrows are focusing on the development of autonomous vehicles.
Therefore, it is likely that Apple will also enter a similar competition, USA Today predicted.
For Apple, cars are more attractive as a’moving Apple ecosystem’ than a’means of transportation’. As such, the prospect is more predominant at the moment, as it will focus on minimizing human intervention in the driving process.
However, it may take quite a while for fully autonomous vehicles to settle. This is because not only technology but also legal issues must be solved.
6. When will it come out
Many experts predict that it will be around 2024-2025. But can Apple cars be released then? USA Today predicted that “it is unlikely.”
This is because the shipping method in the automobile market is slightly different. In general, automakers disclose models to be marketed in a long time. Tesla usually has been accepting reservations for two years before the new car was ready for shipment.
USA Today said, “It takes about five years to build a new car from scratch,” he said.
7. Why now
Several speculations are possible. The compulsion to prepare the next product may have acted when Apple’s flagship product,’iPhone breakthrough’ worked.
However, USA Today analyzed that it is because the battery technology and autonomous driving system have reached a certain level.
First of all, improving battery technology. Batteries are the most important for an electric vehicle to function properly. Now I’m ready to handle that much.
And with the development of autonomous driving system technology, it is possible to develop products different from conventional automobiles, USA Today reported.
In addition, USA Today pointed out that the’political environment’ is also a factor that cannot be ignored. As the demand for environmental protection spreads, the driving force for electric vehicle development is growing.
The Biden administration is also likely to offer benefits for electric vehicles, USA Today predicts.
8. Could the Apple Car Project be destroyed again?
USA Today predicted “yes.” If you decide that too much money is being spent on car development, it can be folded back.
Tesla, too, was pushed to the brink of bankruptcy when developing the Model 3. That’s a burdensome task.
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Of course, Apple has a strong place. The accumulated funds alone amounted to 300 trillion won. So even if the Apple Car plan creaks, it doesn’t end up in bankruptcy like Tesla.
However, if the situation where only money is poured out continues, the pressure from shareholders may increase.