Rumors that the head of Tesla, Elon Musk, tried to sell it to Apple, turned out to be not just rumors. This information was confirmed by Musk himself.
“During the darkest days of the Model 3 program, I reached out to Tim Cook to discuss the possibility of Apple acquiring Tesla (for 1/10 of our current value). He refused to take the meeting.”
In addition, Musk questioned the veracity of a recent report about a “single-cell” battery that Apple is developing for its electric vehicle. We will remind, recently it became known that Apple expects to “radically” reduce the cost and increase the range of the car, using a new battery structure based on lithium iron phosphate (LFP).
Musk recalled that Tesla is already using LFP batteries in its electric vehicles manufactured in Shanghai, but said a single cell design is “not possible” because the resulting battery would deliver too low voltage. The head of Tesla suggested that Apple’s battery would still have cells connected together.
Smartphone and technology companies are investing high in other technology segments to reduce their reliance in smartphones. This is a movement that gained strength in 2020, but there are plenty of firms that have been investing in unusual ranges for quite some. Apple is one of the most relevant technology companies. The company is famous for its Mac, iPhone, and iPad division, but the company has a presence in multiple segments. For years, it’s a known fact that Apple has been investing in the automobile segment to produce the so-called Apple Car. Everything has been based in rumors so far; but now, it seems that the Cupertino-based firm is really close to releasing its first automobile.
According to a new report, the company’s long-rumored electric vehicle could possibly launch in the third quarter of 2021. That is at least two years ahead of its schedule. After all, previous rumors were suggesting a launch by the end of 2023. According to a report from EconomicDailyNews, Apple might be launching its first automobile next year. The report claims that manufacturers and suppliers of the company in Taiwan are preparing to ramp up production of “Apple Car” components as early as the second quarter of next year. Apparently, the company has already begun testing the prototypes o the road in California, US.
Back in 2017, the company got its permit from California’s DMV to test its self-driving cars. This was first spotted on SUV from another brand that was equipped with its LiDAR technology. Various reports were suggesting the Apple Car for around 2023 and 2025. The latest report comes to affirm that the new automobile is closer than we’ve expected. The Taiwanese agency cited an unnamed director from a major Taiwanese manufacturer as its source.
According to the director, Apple is targeting a September 2021 launch. Well, iPhones usually come in September. This only changed this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the uncountable challenges imposed by it. If the Apple Car is really in September next year; then we’ll have one of the most exciting months for lovers of Apple technology.
Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic isn’t done. So the same challenges faced this year, can come in the next year. So, we may digest this report with a pinch or two of salt. The Apple Car may come with impressive technology, but we can’t hold our breath for it just yet.