Requests for Quotation Sent to Parts Makers
Apple is expected to develop its electric car on its own. The company recently sent requests for quotation to global auto parts manufacturers, which means it will choose its partner in the near future.
According to industry sources, production is likely to be outsourced, as in the case of iPhones. Taiwanese newspaper DigiTimes reported this month that those in charge of the project at Apple visited LG Group and SK Group last month.
It is said that Apple’s switch from joint development with an automaker is because its discussions did not go well. The company started its electric car project in 2014 to develop it on its own. In 2016, however, it changed its direction to joint development and production outsourcing. Then, Apple had talks with BMW, Hyundai Motor Group, Nissan, Toyota, etc.
The car is likely to be a self-driving car. “We are concentrating on autonomous driving and it is one of the technologies that are most important for us,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said in 2017. Some Apple phones, including the iPhone 12 Pro, come with LiDAR and this fact supports the prediction. The first Apple car is expected to debut in 2025 or later.