The debate around the likes of fully technology based electric vehicles including autonomous cars etc and their impact on the future of the traditional carmakers of today is certainly hotting up as Apple seems to be getting closer to launching their own manufactured car.
According to Wikipedia:
The Apple electric car project (codenamed “Titan“) is an electric car project undergoing research and development by Apple Inc. Apple has yet to openly discuss any of its self-driving research, but around 5,000 employees were reported to be working on the project as of 2018. In May 2018, Apple reportedly partnered with Volkswagen to produce an autonomous employee shuttle van based on the T6 Transporter commercial vehicle platform. In August 2018, the BBC reported that Apple had 66 road-registered driverless cars, with 111 drivers registered to operate those cars. In 2020, it is believed that Apple is still working on self-driving related hardware, software and service as a potential product, instead of actual apple-branded cars. In December 2020, Reuters reported that Apple was planning on a possible launch date of 2024, but analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed it would not be launched before 2025 and might not be launched until 2028 or later.
This article from 9to5Mac.com gives an interesting insight into the goings on over the last few years between what was once seen as the tech car marriage in heaven – Apple and Tesla.
Should Apple achieve their goal, and they along with other technology companies enter the car manufacturing market, the question on many pundit’s lips is “How will this affect the traditional car manufacturers of today?”
Well, this recent article from the Japan Times states, Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda isn’t overly concerned when he fronted a recent news conference held by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, of which he is the chairman.
The Japan Times – Toyota Chiefs warning to Apple
So, are the traditional manufacturers being arrogant or are the tech companies being optimistic?
Dare I state the obvious ….time will tell!