The MacRumors Show: Ben Sullins Talks Apple Car

YouTuber and electric vehicle expert Ben Sullins joins us on this week's episode of The MacRumors Show to talk through all of the latest rumors and expectations around the Apple Car.


Apple initially intended its electric vehicle to have many unique design features, including no steering wheel or brake pedal, and inward-facing seats in a limousine-like configuration, but the company has since scaled back its ambitions. Now, the car is expected to have a more traditional design with a driver's seat, steering wheel, and conventional pedals. It was also planned to start at around $120,000 with full-self driving functionality, but now Apple is aiming for a sub-$100,000 price point with only limited autonomous driving capabilities on highways. Apple is purportedly aiming to launch the vehicle around 2026.

We discuss what Ben expects from the Apple Car's identity, unique selling points, driving style, and go-to-market strategy. Ben analyzes where the vehicle is likely to be positioned and its sub-$100,000 price point, and whether it can compete with Tesla's offerings. We also discuss autonomous driving functionality and where the broader electric vehicle market will be by the time Apple's car launches, how Tesla is likely to respond, and more. See more of Ben's work over on his YouTube channel.

Listen to The MacRumors Show in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Castro, Google Podcasts, or your preferred podcasts app. You can also copy our RSS feed directly into your podcast player. Watch a video version of the show on the MacRumors YouTube channel.


If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up for our discussion about the announcement of Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro for the iPad, the latest iPhone 16 Pro rumors, and more.

Subscribe to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ for more episodes, where we discuss some of the topical news breaking here on MacRumors, often joined by exciting guests like Mark Gurman, Marcus Kane, Christopher Lawley, Frank McShan, David Lewis, Andru Edwards, Tyler Stalman, Jon Prosser, Sam Kohl, Quinn Nelson, John Gruber, Federico Viticci, Sara Dietschy, Luke Miani, Thomas Frank, Jonathan Morrison, iJustine, Ross Young, Ian Zelbo, Jon Rettinger, and Rene Ritchie. You can also head over to The MacRumors Show forum thread to engage with us directly. Remember to rate and review the show, and let us know what subjects you would like the podcast to cover in the future.

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Top Rated Comments

vegetassj4 Avatar
31 months ago
Hey Siri, drive to Whole Foods.

Siri: I'm sorry, but I'm not allowed to drive in the woods. Also, driving in a hole may not be a good idea.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
31 months ago

Hey Siri, drive to Whole Foods.

Siri: I'm sorry, but I'm not allowed to drive in the woods. Also, driving in a hole may not be a good idea.
I wouldn't rely on Siri when it comes to Apple Car. Siri can't even get the annual year right..

This is with the latest iOS software 16.5 which was released yesterday. ??



Attachment Image
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vegetassj4 Avatar
31 months ago

I wouldn't rely on Siri when it comes to Apple Car. Siri can't even get the annual year right..

This is with the latest iOS software 16.5 which was released yesterday. ??


According to Siri, for me everything from 2011 to 2015 was 17 hours ago LOL
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
31 months ago

Converting 20** into 24hour time??? as in 8:16 PM and leaving off minutes in the answer????
Yes sir! You got it.

Siri is our modern edition of the GPS Navigation system for the cars. This is what will happen when Siri meets Apple Car.

Watch from 0:27

Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MacAddict1978 Avatar
31 months ago
Steering wheel is a fabulous idea. Who would trust Siri to drive them anywhere??? "Siri, take me to grandma's house."
Sometime later - "We've arrived at a local crack house."

Autonomous vehicles use camera recognition for lots of things - which Siri is supposed to be able to identify things in photos but is wrong half the time - imagine the possibilities of things that could go horribly wrong. I imagine death and destruction from her sheer stupidity.

Cross walks - Siri thinks its a lane and drives through it.

Playground signs - thinks they are yields and yields into a playground full of kids.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheWatchfulOne Avatar
31 months ago

Steering wheel is a fabulous idea. Who would trust Siri to drive them anywhere??? "Siri, take me to grandma's house."

That would require it to take you over the river and through the woods. A previous post claims Siri is not allowed to drive in the woods. And Michael Scott would advise you not to let it take you anywhere near water. Therefore, requesting to be taken to grandma's house sounds unreasonable and downright dangerous. ?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)