GM And BMW Predict Failure For New Apple Car - But Didn't The Carriers Say The Same Thing About That iPhone Thing?

The Wall Street Journal yesterday reported that Apple is not only moving full steam ahead on its electric car initiative, but is actually taking measures to accelerate development. In addition to tripling the size of its automotive development team, the report claims that Apple has set an internal, and rather ambitious, ship date of 2019.

Of course, the notion of Apple entering the car business is not without its fair share of unanswered questions. Consequently, it’s become somewhat common to hear seasoned auto industry insiders express skepticism about Apple’s plans to enter an industry as foreign, challenging, and cutthroat as the auto industry.

Most recently, former GM and BMW executive Bob Lutz appeared on CNBC and completely dismantled the notion that Apple has even a fighting chance to make even the tiniest dent in the auto industry.

w222 - 9/22/2015 11:21:44 AM

-1 Boost

great, now people will have to upgrade their cars every year.

jeffgall - 9/22/2015 9:00:40 PM

+1 Boost

The worst will be when the new version of carOS slows your second generation car down when Apple introduces the AppleCar Air (6th generation)

TheSteve - 9/22/2015 12:43:12 PM

+1 Boost

I'm still skeptical about a real car coming out from Apple. It's possible they might do something like have an "Apple Edition" Smart car -- that being partner with an existing auto-maker and have some input into some design elements, likely the infotainment system -- but creating a genuine Apple car, from scratch, a la Tesla? I have a hard time picturing that.

runninglogan1 - 9/22/2015 1:21:53 PM

+1 Boost

Me too but that's exactly what it sounds like they're doing.

JRobUSC - 9/22/2015 5:42:21 PM

+1 Boost

I read the article. There was no mention of anyone currently employed by GM or BMW predicting jack squat in regards to Apple. Bob Lutz is a FORMER exec at BMW and GM. When he gives his opinion today, it is just that - HIS opinion. He does not speak for GM or BMW anymore. The only person currently employed by a car manufacturer mentioned in that article is Dieter Zetsche from Mercedes, so if you want your headline to be even remotely accurate, feel free to replace "GM and BMW" with "Mercedes".

Holydude - 9/23/2015 2:12:52 PM

+1 Boost

Let's see how this one plays out...