Korean Report Says Kia Partnership With Apple Still Possible

Apple and Hyundai subsidiary Kia signed a memorandum of understanding last year, agreeing to pursue cooperation in eight sectors, including electric vehicles, according to a new report from South Korean news site Chosun Biz, cited by Reuters.

kia featured
Earlier this month, following weeks of rampant "Apple Car" rumors, Hyundai and Kia in regulatory filings said they are not in discussions with Apple to co-operate on development of a self-driving electric vehicle. This came just weeks after Hyundai released a statement indicating that Apple was in talks with a number of automakers, including Hyundai, regarding development of autonomous electric vehicles.

Today's report suggests a partnership may still be possible for Kia, claiming that negotiations with Apple "are not completely canceled," although the talks are said to be "experiencing difficulties." The scope of the negotiations is "wide" with room to grow, according to the report. Apple and Kia could end up partnering on "last mile" transportation with Kia's electric scooters, for example, rather than a full-out vehicle.

In any case, the "Apple Car" is believed to be years away from release, with estimates ranging from 2024 all the way to 2028.

Tag: Kia

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Top Rated Comments

frozen220 Avatar
57 months ago
Kia has proven itself to be a competitive and reliable car company, especially in the last 5 years. Most People who speak ill of Kia clearly haven’t had one in the last 10 years. They’ve come a looooong way. Reliability and design is now among the top. Take a look at the Telluride, and the new 2021 Sorento. This isn’t your grandmother’s Kia.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
moabal Avatar
57 months ago
Man this story just keeps getting more interesting. It’s like a reality tv show.

Which car brand will Apple give the rose to?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
now i see it Avatar
57 months ago
And in other news:
[HEADING=2]Hyundai will recall 82,000 Kona EVs to replace batteries[/HEADING]
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ipedro Avatar
57 months ago
Hyundai/KIA were given a time out and made to think that Apple could pick someone else because they broke the sacred first rule of Apple Club that you don’t talk about Apple Club.

In the end, Tim Cook will make the best decision for the company and if that’s KIA, then he’ll call them back after they’ve had their time out.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ericwn Avatar
57 months ago
KIA is a joke in the UK.
It has to be as there is no Rover anymore to laugh about.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BigMac? Avatar
57 months ago
Yeah, KIA-Hyundai Corp is a great choice.
another possibility could be working with Magna Corporation (they are building high quality cars for many different carmakers like:

* Jaguar E-Pace, since 2017.
* BMW 5er (G30), since 2017.
* Mercedes-Benz G-Klasse, W463, since 2018.
* Jaguar I-Pace, since 2018.
* BMW Z4 (G29), since 2018.
* Toyota Supra, since 2019.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)