Apple is reportedly in talks to acquire supercar manufacturer McLaren for its autonomous car project, which the latter firm has so far denied.
If you’ve been following Google’s autonomous car project, you’re likely familar with the cheery vehicle the Mountain View company has been testing. Now, as rumours around Apple’s own autonomous car project continue to swirl, new reports have circulated indicating that the company is seeking to purchase British supercar manufacturer McLaren.
Upon being approached for comment, McLaren has steadfastly denied all reports, citing that it was “not in discussion with Apple” but regularly holds “confidential conversations with a wide range of parties”.
Read: Apple‘s electric car project attracts industry experts
Financial Times broke the report that cited Apple has either entered talks with McLaren with the view or either investing in or outright purchasing the supercar maker. The Times cites that the deal would be worth between $1-1.5 billion USD.
Apple’s interest in McLaren is easy to image; the manufacturer has not only a consulting business but engineering expertise and a patent portfolio that rivals Apple’s own.
Financial Times reports that “Apple‘s interest in the Woking-based company centres on its technology, engineering prowess and patent portfolio, according to people briefed on the talks. However, those people cautioned that it was unclear if a deal would go ahead following a recent shift in Apple‘s car strategy.”
Apple’s autonomous car project has been a hotbed of controversy and mystery; neighbours near the company’s research lab have been kept awake into the wee hours of the morning by loud noises, while a patent Apple filed as a result of its research intitative didn’t depict a supercar but rather showed a bus with tank treads.
The initative – codenamed Project Titan – was believed to have been refocused on AI-based self-driving systems rather than the outright production of a vehicle.
Still, the concept of Apple producing a supercar is a fun one to imagine. Who knows – we may yet see one by 2020.
Read: Apple car rumored to be released in 2019
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Follow Bryan Smith on Twitter: @bryansmithSA
