Apple developing new electric car
Tech giant reportedly emerging into the zero emissions vehicle market
Apple is reportedly emerging into the zero emissions vehicle market and the company is rumoured to have a team of 100 engineers developing an E-car.
Apple’s current reputation as the second largest information technology company in designing and manufacturing consumer electronics, computer software and personal computers is undergoing a secret transformation according to an employee appointed to work in developing the project.
The tech giant is rumoured to have a team of engineers designing and developing the E-car with Vice President of iPhone product design Steve Zadesky leading the effort.
The move could revolutionise the automobile industry and would challenge electric car manufacturer Tesla, according to reports.
The project is code-named Titan and the vehicle design resembles a minivan, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.
Some Apple executives have flown to Austria to meet with contract manufacturers of high-end cars, the report said.
Apple already has technology that may lend itself to an electric car and expertise managing a vast supply chain; the company has long researched battery technology for use in its iPhones, iPads and Macs, whilst the mapping system it debuted in 2012 can be used for navigation.
In 2014, Apple also introduced CarPlay, a software system that integrates iTunes, mapping, messaging and other applications for use by automakers.
The idea of developing an electric car has been part of Apple’s plans for years with Phil Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of marketing, revealing plans to build a car even before it released the iPhone in 2007.
A statement made by CEO Tim Cook last September revealed that "there are products [Apple] are working on that no one knows about" and "that haven't been rumoured about yet".
Apple’s senior Vice President of marketing, Phil Schiller stated in 2012 that executives discussed building a car before it released the iPhone in 2007.
An Apple board member and head of J Crew Group Inc also said in 2012 that Apple’s cofounder Steve Jobs had wanted to build a car.
