The rumors that Apple visited a BMW plant last year to learn about auto manufacturing is true, reports Reuters. Citing sources familiar with the talks, the outlet says that Tim Cook and his senior executive team traveled to BMW’s Leipzig factory last fall, showing interest in its i3 electric car.
“Apple executives were impressed with the fact that we abandoned traditional approaches to car making and started afresh. It chimed with the way they do things too,” a senior BMW source said. The executives asked BMW board members detailed questions about both tooling and production.
As it stands right now, Apple and BMW don’t have any plans to work together to bring an Apple Car to life. However, the sources suggested that “exploratory talks” could restart at some point down the road. While Apple has manufacturing down for personal devices like the iPhone and iPad, jumping into the car industry would be a big move for the Cupertino-based company. A partnership with the likes of BMW, or another company, would be something the company would have to do, at least to start.
Reuters says that although Apple and BMW are no longer holding discussions, exploratory talks between senior managers may be revived at a later stage.
As it stands right now, Apple and BMW don’t have any plans to work together to bring an Apple Car to life. However, the sources suggested that “exploratory talks” could restart at some point down the road. While Apple has manufacturing down for personal devices like the iPhone and iPad, jumping into the car industry would be a big move for the Cupertino-based company. A partnership with the likes of BMW, or another company, would be something the company would have to do, at least to start.
Reuters says that although Apple and BMW are no longer holding discussions, exploratory talks between senior managers may be revived at a later stage.
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