In a surprising revelation following the cancellation of its electric car project, Apple has shed light on what was once a closely guarded secret. The technology giant had ambitious plans for a vehicle without a traditional steering wheel, to be controlled entirely by its virtual assistant, Siri. This detail emerged alongside news of Apple's previously unknown attempt to acquire Tesla in December 2020, a negotiation that reportedly fell through due to Elon Musk's interest in becoming Apple's CEO.
The New York Times reported that in December 2020, Apple CEO Tim Cook made an offer to buy Tesla, the electric vehicle manufacturer owned by Elon Musk. However, the negotiations hit a roadblock over Musk's desire to lead Apple. Sources familiar with the discussions revealed that the company had engaged in talks with Musk about acquiring Tesla. Eventually, Apple decided that developing its own vehicle was a more sensible route than purchasing and integrating another company.
The concept for the Apple Car included a design devoid of a steering wheel, proposing a vehicle fully controlled by Siri. This vision was part of a presentation to renowned designer Jonathan Ive and Apple CEO Tim Cook, featuring a vehicle resembling a European minivan in its conceptual drawings.
As the project comes to a halt, concerns over potential layoffs have emerged. The electric vehicle team at Apple included hundreds of hardware engineers and automotive designers, who are now reportedly being encouraged to apply for positions within other teams at Apple. While the extent of the job cuts remains uncertain, the project's cancellation marks the end of a significant chapter in Apple's exploration of automotive technology.