Talks Halted
Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Corp. said in a public disclosure on Feb. 8 they are not in talks with Apple on developing autonomous vehicles.
The disclosure came following media reports speculating that Hyundai Motor Group and Apple will soon conclude their negotiations. Some media outlets reported that their negotiations have hit a snag.
Mixed forecasts have been recently made about collaboration between Hyundai Motor Group and Apple. Japan's Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported that Apple is negotiating with at least six automakers including Japanese carmakers. Bloomberg reported on Feb. 6 that Hyundai Motor Group and Apple recently stopped discussing collaboration. Apple put a stop to the discussion with Hyundai Motor Group as the talks between the two are leaked to the outside, it explained.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) released a completely opposite report on the same day. It said Kia was in contact with a potential partner to assemble the Apple car at its Georgia plant in the United States.
Some industry sources suggest that Apple is leaking various stories to secure an advantageous position in negotiations with Hyundai Motor Group. Others say that the two companies' discussions were breaking down. Some observers say that it will not be easy to predict the outcome before the negotiations are wrapped up.