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Tesla CEO Expects No Apple Car Before 2020, Calls it 'Missed Opportunity'
Apple's rumored electric car is unlikely to hit full-scale production or be ready for shipping before 2020, according to Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
Musk offered his prediction to Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher at the Code Conference, where he claimed that Apple's ambitions, while admirable, were falling behind in a fast-paced industry.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk interviewed yesterday at the Code Conference (Image: Asa Mathat)
"I think it's great they're doing this, and I hope it works out," said Musk. "It's just a missed opportunity. It's a couple years... they'll make a good car and be successful."
In September 2015, it was reported that Apple had spent more than a year investigating the feasibility of an Apple-branded car and given permission to leaders of the project, code-named Titan, to triple its 600-person team to facilitate development in anticipation of a possible shipping date in 2019.
Musk's comments suggest that the 2019 date might realistically indicate the point at which engineers confirm the main features of the product, and would seem to corroborate earlier rumors that fixed on a 2020 timeframe for the car's launch.
Q&A with Tesla CEO Elon Musk at the Code Conference.
During the wide-ranging Code Conference interview, Musk also claimed Tesla's Model 3 would hit its prospective 2017 launch year, by which time his company aims to fulfill more than 325,000 pre-orders for its lower-priced model.
Musk said the car's design would be finished in about six weeks' time. "Almost all of the Model 3 design is done, and we're aiming for pencils down basically in six weeks, complete pencils down. And we're tabling — you know, if there are ideas for future cool things, we'll have it in version 2, version 3," he said.
Musk also expressed his doubts that Google will release a car, despite its years of testing self-driving electric vehicles, and instead he expects the company to license its technology out to existing automotive manufacturers.
The bulk of Apple's car research and development is thought to be taking place in secretive buildings in Sunnyvale, California, where late night "motor noises" have been heard.
You can watch the full interview with Tesla CEO Elon Musk here.
Musk offered his prediction to Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher at the Code Conference, where he claimed that Apple's ambitions, while admirable, were falling behind in a fast-paced industry.
"I think it's great they're doing this, and I hope it works out," said Musk. "It's just a missed opportunity. It's a couple years... they'll make a good car and be successful."
In September 2015, it was reported that Apple had spent more than a year investigating the feasibility of an Apple-branded car and given permission to leaders of the project, code-named Titan, to triple its 600-person team to facilitate development in anticipation of a possible shipping date in 2019.
Musk's comments suggest that the 2019 date might realistically indicate the point at which engineers confirm the main features of the product, and would seem to corroborate earlier rumors that fixed on a 2020 timeframe for the car's launch.
During the wide-ranging Code Conference interview, Musk also claimed Tesla's Model 3 would hit its prospective 2017 launch year, by which time his company aims to fulfill more than 325,000 pre-orders for its lower-priced model.
Musk said the car's design would be finished in about six weeks' time. "Almost all of the Model 3 design is done, and we're aiming for pencils down basically in six weeks, complete pencils down. And we're tabling — you know, if there are ideas for future cool things, we'll have it in version 2, version 3," he said.
Musk also expressed his doubts that Google will release a car, despite its years of testing self-driving electric vehicles, and instead he expects the company to license its technology out to existing automotive manufacturers.
The bulk of Apple's car research and development is thought to be taking place in secretive buildings in Sunnyvale, California, where late night "motor noises" have been heard.
You can watch the full interview with Tesla CEO Elon Musk here.
Related Roundup: Apple Car
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30 months ago
Who would want an Apple branded car? The entire thing would have to be replaced after a couple of years when a new version of the OS renders it obsolete and the batteries no longer hold a charge.
At least it would be razor-thin, though. Ideal for parking in tight spaces.
At least it would be razor-thin, though. Ideal for parking in tight spaces.
30 months ago
Why are they making a car? Just why?
I get they ship Lithium batteries in their computers but do they really have the urge to shove them into a car?
I mean look CarPlay has to be literally one of the worst things ever, and why would they shift focus on such a huge project when their fundamentals such as the phones and computers are so extremely lacklustre currently? There's a reason why there is so much heat in the forums recently because both the software and hardware aren't living up to the legacy, I mean everything they've been releasing recently feels unfinished.
Another thing to point out is that they dropped the concept of creating their own TV set in favour of providing the software for all other TVs (Apple TV), and I believe they should do the same with this car thing and stick to providing great software for cars out there.
I'm sure they'll make something great, but I'm sure it'll be the next Apple Watch and not the next iPhone...
They really need to shift their priorities.
I get they ship Lithium batteries in their computers but do they really have the urge to shove them into a car?
I mean look CarPlay has to be literally one of the worst things ever, and why would they shift focus on such a huge project when their fundamentals such as the phones and computers are so extremely lacklustre currently? There's a reason why there is so much heat in the forums recently because both the software and hardware aren't living up to the legacy, I mean everything they've been releasing recently feels unfinished.
Another thing to point out is that they dropped the concept of creating their own TV set in favour of providing the software for all other TVs (Apple TV), and I believe they should do the same with this car thing and stick to providing great software for cars out there.
I'm sure they'll make something great, but I'm sure it'll be the next Apple Watch and not the next iPhone...
They really need to shift their priorities.
30 months ago
Who would want an Apple branded car? The entire thing would have to be replaced after a couple of years when a new version of the OS renders it obsolete and the batteries no longer hold a charge.
At least it would be razor-thin, though. Ideal for parking in tight spaces.
What are you talking about! I have a 4 year old rMPB still running fine with the new OS X and only lost 5% of battery capacity...no need for FUD
30 months ago
I guess Apple is finally developing it's own car. I imagine it would look something similar to this:
Most thinnest car in the world. But only for one person. And the battery will hold for 100 miles or so.
If you want a better battery, and a 2 person vehicle, you're in luck. Coz there will be also Apple iCar+ version.
First versions will be bendable, but after that one they will use better materials. Be sure to become the beta tester for only 200 000$ (starting model).
Most thinnest car in the world. But only for one person. And the battery will hold for 100 miles or so.
If you want a better battery, and a 2 person vehicle, you're in luck. Coz there will be also Apple iCar+ version.
First versions will be bendable, but after that one they will use better materials. Be sure to become the beta tester for only 200 000$ (starting model).
30 months ago
I think Apple's car will have a quite low revving engine.
I'd predict a red-line of 5,400rpm as that seems to be a rotational speed Apple don't wish to pass in general ;)
I'd predict a red-line of 5,400rpm as that seems to be a rotational speed Apple don't wish to pass in general ;)
30 months ago
I imagine you could get AppleCarCare on it. :)
There'd be a massive queue of people pushing their broken vehicles to the Genius Car Bar.Cracked windscreen? Don't worry, we'll replace the entire cockpit for you.
30 months ago
Who would want an Apple branded car? The entire thing would have to be replaced after a couple of years when a new version of the OS renders it obsolete and the batteries no longer hold a charge.
I imagine you could get AppleCarCare on it. :)
30 months ago
Fiery young upstart sees the need to rag on the incumbents to generate buzz for their own company. Apple was like that once. How fast Apple has grown and quickly the times have changed.
Tesla is 13 years old and has sold 3 different lines of cars. They have another line that they've shown that they plan to launch in 13 months, with at least another 2 lines of cars in the pipeline (Model Y and Roadster 2 - they've talked a bit about both but said neither will be revealed until after the Model 3 ships.)
Tesla is the #4 US car manufacturer (behind Ford, GM, and Chrysler.)
Apple has never so much as revealed, never mind sold, a single car.
You're very confused about who's a startup and who's an incumbent. Tesla might be a young company, but they graduated from being a startup, I think, when they started winning car of the year awards. They could completely screw up the Model X and 3 and subsist entirely off of selling the S.
Apple might be an existing company, but they have nothing in the auto industry. I wouldn't call them an incumbent.
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