That’s one major unanswered question, and Wakabayashi has his doubts, pointing out that Apple traditionally hasn’t manufactured its own gadgets. It’s also unclear if Apple will contract the manufacturing, like it does with iPhone and iPad.
Advertisement
The 2019 target is ambitious. The famously secretive company hasn’t made many details available as to how it plans to manufacture the cars, or who it hopes to partner with.
Apple’s electric auto would still need to clear regulatory hurdles and testing before you could even drive the vehicle around the block.
Apple execs gave the project the green light after spending more than a year researching the feasibility of an electric Apple-branded vehicle. Building a vehicle is a complex endeavor, and those familiar with Apple’s plans have expressed skepticism that the company would be able to hit that deadline. This report conflicts with previous ones that claimed Apple wanted to start producing its electric vehicle by 2020. Further, the Project Titan team has apparently received approval from upper level Apple management to triple their number.
Those involved include DJ Novotney, an Apple veteran with a history of successfully shipping products. Novotney has been with the company for over 15 years and recently served as the Sr. He didn’t respond to a request for comment. While this is big for Apple, the cars projected to launch in 2019 would likely not be driverless. And while it won’t be “fully autonomous”, the Journal says, that’s the “long-term” goal.
Advertisement
As Apple pushes forward, the company is finding it hard to keep its automobile interest under wraps. Site officials later confirmed to The Associated Press that Apple requested information about using their facility. In addition, the company has held meetings with the California Department of Motors Vehicles to discuss is self-driving aspirations.
