It’s Happening: Apple Electric Car Slated For 2019

Apple is going to build an electric car. This news comes according to numerous reports, which indicate the worlds’ richest company will ship their own vehicle by 2019.

We reported previously Apple might be moving forward with their electric vehicle project. However, that previous report was vague and cited unnamed sources that the Apple Car Project was expected around 2020. Latest reports confirm Apple intends to build its own electric vehicle and the delivery date is sooner-than-expected: 2019.

The Wall Street Journal again cited unnamed sources familiar with the situation that the Apple car initiative is a “committed project.” Apple reportedly spent a year exploring the car project and has now decided to turn up the pace as they’ve committed to the venture. Apple currently has a team of 600 dedicated to the Apple Car project. The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple may hire another 1,200 for the electric vehicle project. The same WSJ report indicates that while Apple does have experts in driverless cars on staff, their first electric vehicle won’t be “fully autonomous.”

Also providing evidence that Apple is moving forward with their electric vehicle project is the report from the California Department of Motor Vehicles that Apple met with them in regards to self-driving vehicle testing. Apple also spoke with management at the former Concord Naval Weapons Station in regards to conducting autonomous vehicle testing, though nothing is confirmed. Honda is slated to do vehicle testing at the former Naval facility this week.

With word out Apple is moving forward with their electric vehicle project, a big question becomes how this could impact retail automotive. Will Apple manufacture its own vehicles in its own factory sometime in the next four years? That’s unlikely. Apple partners with a manufacturer to build its iPhones, thus why wouldn’t they find an automaker partner to build their electric cars? Early speculation has pointed to the BMW i3 as a potential platform for its first electric machine.

Big questions about the Apple Car still remain. How will they sell and service their vehicles? Will Apple use the direct-to-consumers online-based route like Tesla Motors, or sell though dealerships? How much will Apple charge for their first electric car? If Apple decided to partner with multiple automakers and sell through dealerships, would you want to sell an Apple electric car?