Apple Car Schematics Reportedly Presented to Japanese Auto Parts Maker in 2020 - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Car Schematics Reportedly Presented to Japanese Auto Parts Maker in 2020

In January 2020, a man who identified himself as an Apple parts manager informed Japanese auto supplier Sanden that Apple wanted to make electric vehicles, and presented schematics of an electric vehicle and air conditioner parts, according to Nikkei Asia.

vanarama apple car concept

Apple Car concept by Vanarama based on patents filed by Apple

Sanden is a leading manufacturer of air conditioner parts for vehicles, and Apple and Sanden went on to discuss specific parts requirements, the report claims. However, due to financial struggles worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, Sanden filed for debt restructuring with its creditors in June 2020 and the Apple Car talks apparently faded.

While the report does not provide any further details about the talks between the two companies, it lends further credence to Apple's long-rumored electric vehicle ambitions.

In November 2021, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple was accelerating its work on the project and aiming for an electric vehicle with full self-driving capabilities. Gurman said Apple was targeting a 2025 launch, but the project has faced numerous setbacks and key departures over the years, so the timeframe is not certain.

Tag: Nikkei

Popular Stories

iphone 18 pro blue

Apple Reportedly Cuts iPhone 18 Pro Orders After Price Hike Dampens Demand

Friday October 9, 2026 5:23 am PDT by
Apple has asked some of its suppliers to cut production of iPhone 18 Pro components due to lower-than-expected demand, according to Nikkei Asia ($). Citing its own sources, the report claims that Apple has been more cautious about shipments since early September because of the rising cost of memory chips, leading to higher prices. Component orders for October were said to have been cut by...
Apple TV 4K HomeView HomePod Mini tweaked

New Apple TV 4K, HomeView, and HomePod Mini: 16 Details Just Leaked

Sunday October 11, 2026 12:56 pm PDT by
Just two days before Apple's "Welcome home" experience in New York, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has leaked several details about the new products set to be unveiled, including an all-new smart home hub, a HomePod mini 2, and a new Apple TV 4K. Here is an all-in-one summary of the details shared by Gurman:Apple's home hub with a touch-enabled display will be named HomeView, seemingly confirming a ...
apple welcome home event

Apple Product Launch Announced for October 13: 'Welcome Home'

Thursday October 8, 2026 9:04 am PDT by
Apple today announced an upcoming product launch that will take place on Tuesday, October 13. We are expecting Apple's announcement to focus on new smart home products, including the long-rumored smart home hub, a new Apple TV 4K, and a refreshed HomePod mini. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. The home hub is an all-new device that's like a cross between an iPad and...

Top Rated Comments

62 months ago
If it looks anything like that picture it will be a quick exit from the market
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cmaier Avatar
62 months ago

Yes, but they had Steve Jobs back then. Little Timmy is a genius bean counter, but he is no visionary.
Any time someone says “Timmy” and “bean counter” I know everything i need to know.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
djcerla Avatar
62 months ago
It’s almost laughable to picture Apple as a car manufacturer, but to me at least the car market in 2022 looks a lot like the cellphone market in 2007.

A huge opportunity for the “computer guys”.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cmaier Avatar
62 months ago

It’s going to be forever till Apple car gets here. By then, Tesla would have taken the electric auto industry by a big margin. It’ll be very hard to catch up for Apple.

Meanwhile, Apple continues to lose more engineers.

https://www.macrumors.com/2021/12/08/apple-car-project-loses-3-engineers/

https://9to5mac.com/2021/12/08/bloomberg-apple-loses-even-more-engineers-from-its-car-project-team/
Apple continues to gain engineers, actually.

Did you also think Apple couldn’t make a dent in the phone industry? They came very late to that industry.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nwcs Avatar
62 months ago
I wonder what Apple would have to do to get me to consider them as a viable vehicle option? Of course it depends greatly upon what they ultimately reveal and price but even then I’d be very wary.

For all the hype Tesla still doesn’t strike me as reliable enough and ergonomic enough for my preferences. Getting closer but the enthusiasm for the Tesla seems to be outpacing the reality.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
alpi123 Avatar
62 months ago

If the price is right I’ll be the first one to get it with my Apple Card.

Where? Do you know know high-level engineers personally that have been working on the Apple car?

You can’t compare phone industry to the auto industry. They don’t even go together. The auto-industry has been out in this world for over 100+ years.

You forced me to do another Google search and this is what came up 🤥

https://appleinsider.com/articles/21/12/09/three-more-apple-car-engineers-leave-for-aviation-startups
Do you really think when an engineer leaves the company, Apple would just sit and do nothing? Lol, of course they would hire more engineers.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
Apple 'Welcome Home' Launch: Everything to Expect Tomorrow
Apple 'Welcome Home' Launch: Everything to Expect Tomorrow
3 hours ago
You Can Now Set Up Your iPhone Duo Pre-Order - Do It Before Friday
You Can Now Set Up Your iPhone Duo Pre-Order - Do It Before Friday
3 hours ago
Apple Plans Two-Day Event to Showcase Trio of New Macs and iPad Mini
Apple Plans Two-Day Event to Showcase Trio of New Macs and iPad Mini
4 hours ago
Apple and Pokémon Tease Special Pikachu-Themed Beats Pill Speaker
Apple and Pokémon Tease Special Pikachu-Themed Beats Pill Speaker
5 hours ago
Apple Announces 'Indie Games Week' on App Store
Apple Announces 'Indie Games Week' on App Store
6 hours ago
Amazon Discounting 2026 MacBook Pro by as Much as $600 This Week
Amazon Discounting 2026 MacBook Pro by as Much as $600 This Week
6 hours ago
Apple Watch Ultra 1 vs. Ultra 4 Buyer's Guide: Is It Worth Upgrading?
Apple Watch Ultra 1 vs. Ultra 4 Buyer's Guide: Is It Worth Upgrading?
7 hours ago
Apple Watch SE 3 Available From Just $199.99 on Amazon
Apple Watch SE 3 Available From Just $199.99 on Amazon
7 hours ago
Tim Cook Visits China for the Third Time in 2026
Tim Cook Visits China for the Third Time in 2026
7 hours ago
OLED iPad Mini Could Be $200 More Expensive Than Current Model
OLED iPad Mini Could Be $200 More Expensive Than Current Model
10 hours ago
Apple Launches Special Edition AirPods 5 in India
Apple Launches Special Edition AirPods 5 in India
10 hours ago
New Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini 2 Pre-Orders Expected to Begin This Week
New Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini 2 Pre-Orders Expected to Begin This Week
17 hours ago
New Apple TV 4K, HomeView, and HomePod Mini: 16 Details Just Leaked
New Apple TV 4K, HomeView, and HomePod Mini: 16 Details Just Leaked
1 day ago
New Entry-Level iPad Not Expected Until Early 2027
New Entry-Level iPad Not Expected Until Early 2027
1 day ago
Apple Plans Major iPhone Duo Retail Showcase, But Supply Will Be Limited
Apple Plans Major iPhone Duo Retail Showcase, But Supply Will Be Limited
1 day ago
Apple TV 4K Getting A19 Chip and a Potentially Easier-to-Find Siri Remote
Apple TV 4K Getting A19 Chip and a Potentially Easier-to-Find Siri Remote
1 day ago
New Mac Mini and Mac Studio Receive Up to $200 Price Cuts at Amazon
New Mac Mini and Mac Studio Receive Up to $200 Price Cuts at Amazon
1 day ago
Apple HomeView Smart Hub to Ship in Mid-November in Four Colors
Apple HomeView Smart Hub to Ship in Mid-November in Four Colors
1 day ago
New Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini to Ship on October 30
New Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini to Ship on October 30
1 day ago
AirPods Max 2 Available for $429 in All Colors on Amazon
AirPods Max 2 Available for $429 in All Colors on Amazon
1 day ago
Rumor: Apple to Announce New Partnership With ADT
Rumor: Apple to Announce New Partnership With ADT
2 days ago
AirPods 5 vs. AirPods 5 With Wireless Charging Case Buyer's Guide
AirPods 5 vs. AirPods 5 With Wireless Charging Case Buyer's Guide
2 days ago
Accessory Deals This Weekend: Save on TVs, Headphones, and Smart Home Gear
Accessory Deals This Weekend: Save on TVs, Headphones, and Smart Home Gear
2 days ago
Apple's All-New Home Hub Will Be Revealed October 13: What to Expect
Apple's All-New Home Hub Will Be Revealed October 13: What to Expect
2 days ago
Apple Announcing HomePod Mini 2 Next Week With These New Features
Apple Announcing HomePod Mini 2 Next Week With These New Features
2 days ago
A New Apple TV 4K is Finally Coming on Tuesday
A New Apple TV 4K is Finally Coming on Tuesday
2 days ago
Top Stories: Apple's 'Welcome Home' Launch on October 13 and More
Top Stories: Apple's 'Welcome Home' Launch on October 13 and More
2 days ago
Apple Stores Will Add Your Name to iPhone Duo's Startup Screen
Apple Stores Will Add Your Name to iPhone Duo's Startup Screen
3 days ago
SpaceX Inches Closer to Becoming a U.S. Carrier
SpaceX Inches Closer to Becoming a U.S. Carrier
3 days ago
Apple Potentially Behind 'HomeView' Trademark Filed Alongside 'homeOS' Last Year
Apple Potentially Behind 'HomeView' Trademark Filed Alongside 'homeOS' Last Year
3 days ago