Elon Musk Claims He Once Reached Out to Tim Cook About Tesla Purchase But Was Refused Meeting

Tesla CEO Elon Musk today said on Twitter that he once reached out to Apple CEO Tim Cook about the possibility of Apple acquiring Tesla, but Cook "refused to take the meeting." Musk says that he attempted to contact Apple during the "darkest days of the Model 3 program," offering Tesla for 1/10 of its value.

tesla
Musk's tweet came in response to Reuters' recent report about Apple's work on an upcoming Apple Car.


According to Reuters, Apple is aiming to begin production on an Apple Car by 2024, using "next-level" battery technology that involves a "monocell" design that bulks up individual battery cells and frees up space inside the battery pack by removing pouches and modules that hold battery materials. Apple is also planning to use lithium iron phosphate battery technology.

Musk in a separate tweet said that the Apple Car rumors are "strange if true" and that a monocell design is "electrochemically impossible."


There have been rumors that Apple once considered a purchase of Tesla and made a "serious bid" of $240 per share back in 2013, but given Musk's comments, that may not be accurate.

Apple and Tesla have been at odds since Apple started working on the Apple Car project and have notoriously poached employees from one another. In 2015, in fact, Musk said that he calls Apple the "Tesla Graveyard." "If you don't make it at Tesla, you go work at Apple," he said.

If and when Apple does start manufacturing a car aimed at consumers, Tesla and Apple will be direct competitors. That could happen as early as 2024 or 2025 if Apple's work on an Apple Car stays on track.

Tag: Tesla

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Top Rated Comments

JuicyJones Avatar
60 months ago
Elon Musk says a lot of things...
Score: 93 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kaycrystal626 Avatar
60 months ago
Thank goodness Apple didn't buy Tesla. Otherwise, Tesla cars will cost twice as much.
Score: 43 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nikster0029 Avatar
60 months ago
Tim Cook is great at supply chain logistics (not this year), but also not that great when it comes to thinking outside the box
Score: 41 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Maconplasma Avatar
60 months ago

big blunder by Tim Cook. oof.
And how is this a blunder? Apple is far wealthier than Tesla. Just because Telsa reaches out Apple to purchase the company doesn't mean Apple has to do it. Apple doesn't need Tesla to build cars.
Score: 36 Votes (Like | Disagree)
PickUrPoison Avatar
60 months ago

big blunder by Tim Cook. oof.
Not at all. No point in buying Tesla, just like there’s no point in buying Netflix.
Score: 36 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DelayedGratificationGene Avatar
60 months ago

big blunder by Tim Cook. oof.
Nope. Smart move by Tim. Cash burning Tesla who’s only profit is related to selling electric vehicle credits to other auto companies which will go away. Stock price is irrational exuberance and does not correctly value Tesla fundamentals.
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)