It’s been reported that Apple is planning a manufacturing
partnership with Kia Motors and intending on investing 4 trillion won ($3.6
billion) in the company as part of the partnership.
The partnership has been rumored to be aimed at Kia Motors building Apple Cars at its U.S. facility located in Georgia. The deal between the two companies may be signed as early as the 17th of February. Apple and Kia Motors are reportedly aiming to produce 100,000 vehicles per year once the manufacturing begins.
This is not the first time a report like this is being
circulated, but in the past as well, partnership between Apple and Hyundai has
been rumored, and prior reports have suggested that Hyundai's Kia brand would be
responsible for manufacturing. Hyundai even confirmed that it was in talks with
Apple, but later changed its statement and eliminated the mention of Apple.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that Apple is planning to
collaborate with Hyundai and will use the company’s E-GMP battery electric
vehicle platform for its first vehicle chassis, along with using the Kia
factory for U.S. production.
The Apple Car is expected to arrive as soon as 2025. However,
since Apple is on a tight schedule, a launch may have to be pushed back
further.
