Report: Apple Talking with Hyundai to Produce "Apple Car"

According to a report, the South Korean automaker is currently in talks with Apple to produce its ambitious vehicle and “next level” battery technology.

9to5Mac confirms that Apple is in early discussions with Hyundai and also that part of the development could take place at Hyundai Motors’ facilities in the United States.

What’s more, a Hyundai rep actually confirmed the rumors…to a point.

Hyundai’s Steve Kopack said that, “We understand that Apple is in discussion with a variety of global automakers, including Hyundai Motor. As the discussion is at its early stage, nothing has been decided.”

We’d previously reported that Apple’s “Project Titan” would include “next level” battery technology that would “radically” reduce the cost of batteries and increase the vehicle’s range, and that the long-rumored vehicle was on-track for 2024 production.

This new report actually pushes the estimate back a bit, suggesting the Cupertino giant might not release its car until 2027. Apple is nothing if not extremely fastidious about its hardware and flagship products, so a delay (or two) is entirely expected.

Of course, these talks are still preliminary, and Apple could still scuttle the idea of building a car from scratch and run an autonomous service, instead. A service would produce the margins Apple is more used to, while automotive production typically runs on much tighter profits.

We’ll have more as rumors continue to trickle out.