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Volkswagen and Apple 'iCar' Project On Hold?

Thursday December 6, 2007 6:09 am PST by Arnold Kim
In August, a rumor circulated that Apple and Volkswagen were in early meetings to work on incorporating Apple products into Volkswagen compact cars. The most recent reports, coming from PressPortal.de indicate that the project is "shaky" but that Apple has been in talks with other car manufacturers.

Translation via Jalopnik:

The exploratory talks on a cooperation of the Wolfsburg-based Volkswagen Group with the US computer maker Apple advised for information of the business magazine 'Capital' (issue 26/2007, EVT 6 December) to a halt. In September, VW chairman Martin Winterkorn had confidential talks with Apple CEO Steve Jobs in California. Because of this, there was speculation of the development of a so-called "i-Car", a compact car equipped with Apple products. VW had confirmed the talks. "The project is shaky," said 'Capital'. Other car manufacturers have had talks with Apple talks on cooperation.

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Grimace
55 months ago
It would make sense for Apple to partner with more than just one manufacturer. An integrated CarPod (40GB hard drive) with iTunes interface might get me to by the rest of the car too! :p
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Chisholm
55 months ago
My Rabbit carries Apple products all the time. Y'all go sit down and shut up.
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SciTeach
55 months ago
Darn...I was hoping to play "Slug iBug" or "Red iZip":p
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BKKbill
55 months ago
Here we go again. The Steve playing hardball. Seems to me this has not been to successful the last few times. Or is that just me?
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P-Worm
55 months ago

Here we go again. The Steve playing hardball. Seems to me this has not been to successful the last few times. Or is that just me?


It's just you. Apple's stock has never been higher, their market share is increasing and iPhones are flying off the shelves.

P-Worm
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hdasmith
55 months ago

My Rabbit carries Apple products all the time. Y'all go sit down and shut up.


Why do they call the Golf the Rabbit over there?! I've never understood it, and in my mind Golf is a far better name. What I really want for my Golf is a radio which my iPhone can plug into with the same functionality as the iPod does, AND offer hands free calling. At the moment, I need two separate pieces of equipment to achieve this. Seems such a simple idea.
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mdntcallr
55 months ago
personally, i couldnt care less if apple did a branded car.

i would much rather prefer they stick to ipod and iphone connectivity to the car. and a smart car functionality much like microsoft's SYNC.

stick to the business you know apple
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Stampyhead
55 months ago

Why do they call the Golf the Rabbit over there?! I've never understood it, and in my mind Golf is a far better name.


It used to be called the Rabbit over here too, but they changed the name back in the 70's or 80's I believe.
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Jshwon
55 months ago
The "Rabbit" was the original car that the "Golf" platform was based off of. Kind of what started the small compact "fun" car for VW. I hope Apple partners with VW. They just seem like a perfect match. I can't see their products in say GM or Ford vehicles. Maybe Mercedes but that limits the market.
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SthrnCmfrtr
55 months ago
Why Volkswagen? They're terribly unreliable of late (source: Consumer Reports). Of course, now that I think about it, that makes sense...
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