Rumors of Apple Car (codename ‘Project Titan’) continue to swirl and there’s plenty time left for Apple to solidify or change its plans, given the expected launch of the new automobile is still five years away. However, that isn’t stopping car company executives weighing in on the rumors. Whilst GM execs diss the idea of Apple investing in an electric car as a ‘gigantic money pit’, an executive from Ford seems enthused by the prospect. In an interview with Trusted Reviews, Don Butler, Executive Director for Ford Connected Vehicles, said that they welcome competition and thinks technology companies can pull it off.
“We welcome others joining. We welcome the activity that’s in the space. We think it’s exciting. It’s actually changed that we are embracing,” said Butler, speaking to TrustedReviews at the CES 2016 tradeshow in Las Vegas. “So I think Apple can do it. I think Google can do it.”
Watch the full interview in the video after the break …
Regarding autonomy, the Ford exec believes that the industry will reach Level 4 autonomous driving. This means that cars will be able to drive themselves in well-mapped areas in well-mapped conditions, i.e. main roads, highways and cities. He also suggests that companies like Apple or Google could partner with companies like Ford to speed up innovation in the car sector. Today, Ford is a close partner in Apple’s CarPlay system, promising to bring integrations to cars in 2016.
Ford seems to be bullish on the adoption of the technology and the integration with technology companies. However, Dave Anderson, a representative from automotive integration at Nvidia was not as convinced regarding Apple’s entrance. He warned that the process of making cars is arduous and involved, claiming both Apple and Google have a lot more learning to do before they can release their own successful electric vehicles.
It is likely that Apple’s presence in the vehicles industry has grown since it made an appearance at a global car conference in November, leading executives to consider the proposition more seriously. Last week, Elon Musk described Apple’s electric car efforts as an ‘open secret’, claiming it could be compelling. The tangible Apple Car will remain a mystery for the foreseeable future, however.
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I think Apple can do it too..
I just worry about the Android version that comes out 5 minutes later that costs $1 less and doesn’t have brakes.
As opposed to the one which is Ferrari expensive, yet underneath contains the guts of a Ford?
Ferrari was owned by Fiat-Chrysler before the spin off.
Guts of a Ford?
Explain that…
Fun Driving-related facts:
Every year since 2008 the percentage of Americans with a driver’s license has fallen.
1. For 16- through 44-year-olds, there was a continuous decrease in the percentage of
persons with a driver’s license for the years examined. For example, the
percentages for 20- to 24-year-olds in 1983, 2008, 2011, and 2014 were 91.8%,
82.0%, 79.7%, and 76.7%, respectively.
2. For 45- through 69-year-olds, there was an increase in the percentage of persons
with a driver’s license from 1983 to 2008, followed by a continuous decrease from
2008 to 2014. For example, the percentages for 60- to 64-year-olds in 1983, 2008,
2011, and 2014 were 83.8%, 95.9%, 92.7%, and 92.1%, respectively.
3. For those 70 years and older, there was an increase in the percentage of persons
with a driver’s license from 1983 to 2008, followed by an increase from 2008 to
2011, and a decrease from 2011 to 2014. The percentages for 1983, 2008, 2011,
and 2014 were 55.0%, 78.4%, 79.2%, and 79.0%, respectively.
So why don’t people, particularly teens and 20/30 somethings, have an interest in driving? According to yet another study “respondents between the ages of 18 and 39 found that the primary reason reported for not having a driver’s license was that people were simply too busy (37%), followed closely by the cost of of owning and maintaining a vehicle (32%), and the ease of getting a ride from someone else (31%).”
Hey Ford – how about finally getting Apple Car Play in your vehicles. At this rate Apple will have their car to market before Ford gets on the bandwagon.
he did NOT say that apple can build its own car. nobody believe that, for various / obvious to any engineer reasons. he said that apple and google could work with ford and put together potentially, each other skills (apple making small gadgets and even desktop and or laptop computers and software, google making the same thing, more or less) while major car manufacturers could add these hardware and software to their cars. i bet a trillion of trillions of dollars that apple will never have its own card, 100% independent and if you do not believe me, time will tell, why don’t you ask apple and see what happens (oh, they are not talking…) well… ask google, they will tell you the same thing. it’s like asking a dentist to drive a military vehicle like a pro, just think about it. but since press sells (just like apple) mostly sensational, i perfectly understand your biased interpretation of this interview. we all need a bread…
“nobody believe that, for various / obvious to any engineer reasons”
that’s… cute???
A car is easy compared to an iPhone or an iMac! Even small companies can make full blown cars!