The Apple Automotive has been on the forefront of many rumors in recent times and but it by no means materialized. As a matter of reality, the Cupertino-based expertise big didn’t even verify what would’ve been an EV, not to mention present photos or share technical specs of the automotive. The New York Occasions stories greater than $10 billion was poured into the ill-fated mission earlier than the iPhone maker pulled the plug on the finish of February.

Whereas the Apple Automotive was nonetheless in improvement, a brand new report from Bloomberg claims Apple bought in contact with BMW a few potential collaboration. The German luxurious marque wasn’t the one automotive firm thought-about for a partnership as there have been additionally talks with Mercedes, Tesla, Volkswagen, and even with McLaren. Later, electrical startup Canoo had a chat with Apple representatives however to no avail. There have been additionally negotiations with Ford to promote the Apple Automotive via the Lincoln luxurious model. In the end, nothing got here out of those discussions. Of all automotive producers contacted by Apple, Bloomberg stories McLaren bought the closest to inking a deal.

The Apple Automotive was a expensive endeavor as the identical report states the corporate burned via a whopping $1 billion a 12 months. A prototype of a white minivan was supposedly proven to executives again in early 2020 at a check monitor in Wittmann, Arizona beforehand owned by Chrysler. The automotive allegedly had an all-glass roof and sliding doorways offering entry to a spacious cabin with 4 seats. The folks mover was nicknamed “Bread Loaf” due to its rounded sides and was envisioned with a big TV, customizable window tint, reclining seats that includes built-in footrests, and a degree 5 self-driving system. The latter was demoted to a degree 2 at one level throughout improvement.

When Apple executives noticed the automotive, the plan was to have the minivan on sale round 2025 nevertheless it seems to be as if that’s not going to occur anymore. It’s unclear to what extent BMW’s involvement would’ve been had the 2 firms reached a deal. Bloomberg contacted Apple and BMW however predictably, each firms refused to remark. Apparently, Apple allegedly additionally held talks with Magna Worldwide, which builds the Z4 roadster via its Magna Steyr subsidiary on the manufacturing unit in Graz, Austria.

Chances are high we’ll by no means discover out the total story about what occurred to the doomed Apple Automotive and the small print surrounding the failed collaboration with BMW and different manufacturers. The Munich-based marque does have ongoing collaborations with different firms since Ineos Automotive and Land Rover use a few of its six- and eight-cylinder engines. As well as, it has the Z4/Supra tie-up with Toyota, with which it’s collectively engaged on hydrogen expertise.

Supply: Bloomberg (subscription required), The New York Occasions