Apple Gears Up to Challenge Tesla in Electric Cars

IPhone Maker Has 100s Working on Design of a Minivan Like Vehicle

Apple Inc. has revolutionized music and phones. Now it is aiming at a much bigger target: automobiles.

The Cupertino, Calif., company has several hundred employees working secretly toward creating an Apple-branded electric vehicle, according to people familiar with the matter. The project, code-named “Titan,” initially is working on the design of a vehicle that resembles a minivan, one of the people said.

Apple's initial foray into automobiles includes its CarPlay 
for linking cars and smartphones. The iPhone maker has 
begun developing an electric car that would challenge 
Tesla Motors, Nissan Motor and General Motors. 
Photo: Reuters

An Apple spokesman declined to comment.

Apple ultimately could decide not to proceed with a car. In addition, many technologies used in an electric car, such as advanced batteries and in-car electronics, could be useful to other Apple products, including the iPhone and iPad.

Apple often investigates technologies and potential products, going as far as building multiple prototypes for some things that it won’t ever sell. Any car would take several years to complete and obtain safety certifications.

Last year, Apple hired Marc Newson, a well-known industrial 
designer and close friend of the company’s design guru, Jony 
Ive. In the past, Mr. Newson has created a concept car for 
Ford. Photo: Getty Images

But the size of the project team and the senior people involved indicate that the company is serious, these people said. Apple executives have flown to Austria to meet with contract manufacturers for high-end cars including the Magna Steyr unit of Canadian auto supplier Magna International Inc. A Magna spokeswoman declined to comment.

Read the rest of the story HERE.

If you like what you see, please "Like" us on Facebook either here or here. Please follow us on Twitter here.