Apple’s ordeal, which used to be sassy… Hyundai Motor Company, Volkswagen and Nissan lose one after another

Apple, which has declared its entry into the automobile industry, is facing a season of trial. Although the rumors of cooperation with global automakers equipped with production facilities were mentioned one after another, it was because the lines were broken. In the industry, there is a widespread concern that if you join hands with Apple, you can become a simple subcontractor.

On the 16th (local time), the Financial Times (FT) of the UK evaluated that “global automobile companies are reluctant to play Foxconn’s role in the automobile industry.” In terms of manufacturing iPhones, Taiwanese companies Foxconn and Apple are partners, but the two companies are not equal.

Global automakers are reluctant to be recognized as subcontractors of Apple because brand power is very important. In fact, in an interview with German media “Frankfurter Algemainei-Tung” on the 14th, Herbert Dys, CEO of Volkswagen, said, “I am not concerned about the impact of Apple’s electric car production plan. I’m not afraid of Apple cars. “No,” he expressed his confidence.

“The automotive industry is different from the technology sector that can catch up at once.” I don’t think it is.”

Apple also showed disagreements with Nissan, Japan, but ended without making much progress in the negotiations, Reuters reported the day before, citing a report from the Financial Times. According to the report, contact between the two sides was short and the discussion did not progress to the senior management level, the source said. The main reason for the breakdown of negotiations is known to be the problem of using the’Apple’ brand.

Hyundai Motor Company and Kia, which were the leading manufacturers of Apple Cars, also announced that they are not discussing the production of Apple cars through a public announcement on the 8th.

At the time, Hyundai Motor Company and Kia announced, “We are receiving requests for cooperation in joint development of autonomous electric vehicles from a number of companies, but this has not been decided in the initial stage.

Foreign media are analyzing that if Apple wants to simply subcontract to automakers, there will be few options. CNN estimates that many companies, from Tesla to Ford to Honda, are among the candidates, but in reality Apple has few options.

In a situation where Apple wants to take the lead in both software and hardware, it is analyzed that automakers will not actively engage in cooperation with Apple because there is no real benefit.

Reporter Kang Kyung-joo [email protected]

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