Multiple reports quoting inside sources indicate Apple is seriously planning to build electric cars by 2020 to compete with Tesla and General Motors, which are both scheduled to release new electric models of their own around 2017.
“That’s the inflection point -- the proving ground -- that brings on the electric age,” Steve LeVine, author of “The Powerhouse,” a book about the automotive battery industry, said onBloomberg TV Thursday. “Now you have Apple coming in and this is critical mass. Was GM really going to be able to match Tesla? Apple can.”
Apple probably wants to take all the time necessary to ensure it comes to market with a revolutionary product. Remember, the company wasn’t the first to make digital-music players or smartphones, and only entered those markets once it had a product that redefined those categories. That being said, there are a number of online rumours about Apple that we should pay attention to...
What if Apple bought Tesla?
The question was asked by Jason Calacanis, co-founder of Weblogs Inc. (purchased by AOL in 2005). He firmly predicted that Apple will buy Tesla for $75 billion USD in 18 months. How can he be so sure? Here is his reasoning:
- There are reports of a massive project at Apple, with hundreds of executives working on an electric minivan;
- An Apple self-driving car (codenamed “Titan”) has been spotted on the roads;
- A gigafactory has been announced to produce batteries for the upcoming Tesla Model 3, and Apple uses a lot of batteries;
- Tim Cook (Apple) is obsessed with renewable energy and will invest $850 million USD to build a giant solar farm to power Apple’s new HQ;
- Tesla wants to plant the battery from the Model S on people’s garage walls so they could charge them by solar (Elon Musk is the chairman of Solarcity) for rainy days;
- No other car company can catch up with Tesla;
- Dozens of former Tesla employees now work for Apple and vice versa.
Calacanis brought up several other good points to back up his claim that Apple will buy Tesla; however, many people on social media have since offered counter points. Even retired GM CEO Dan Akerson said Apple should steer clear of the business of making cars, arguing there’s more potential in teaming up with automakers to produce the electronic operating systems and entertainment equipment for vehicles.
Whatever everyone's plans and intentions are, don't be surprised to see some big-time announcements being made in the next few months.
What's your take?