BMW has scotched rumours that it might be helping computer giant Apple to build its much-rumoured i-Car. According to German magazine Auto Motor Und Sport, the two companies had been discussing the potential of using the electric BMW i3 as the basis for a Apple's currently-secret car project.
The two companies have long had close links, however, with BMW being one of the first of the major car makers to consult with Apple when designing its in-car connectivity systems. The German car maker has since issued a statement which flatly denied the rumour. “We are in regular talks with companies from the IT and telecommunications sector, including Apple, concerning topics like connected vehicles. Developing or building a car is not a topic of these discussions” said a BMW spokesperson.
It’s still unknown just what Apple is looking at in car terms. While it has been hiring many senior car designers and engineers to work on a still-undisclosed project, the possibility remains that Apple may not be interested in making an actual car, but simply in better understanding how cars work so as to better integrate such products as iPhone, iPod and the forthcoming Apple Watch into in-car systems. The certainty that legislators are going to become ever-tougher on the use of hand-held devices while driving is also doubtless a spur.
While BMW is denying any involvement in Apple's plans, Continental is coming right out and saying that it fancies helping out. CEO of the German components and tyre maker told investors and reporters in a conference call that "Apple has an excellent reputation on information and communication systems and has incredible financial strength. We would be interested."
Mind you, in the same interview, Mr Degenhart suggested that electric cars are still not turning anyone any profits. Continental makes many electric car components and systems and investors were told that it would be at least another three to four years before such operations start to see some black ink.
Finally, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has also been on the denial trail, saying that Facebook isn't going to follow Google or Apple down the car-making route. When questioned at the recent Mobile World Congress, Mr Zuckerberg said simply that his company was always researching but that "we're pretty focused as a company. Our goal of helping everyone around the world connect, I think, is pretty broad, and we're pretty mission-focused in that we want everything that we do to tie back to that goal."
