Apple reportedly met with BMW for help with its secret auto project

CEO Tim Cook supposedly met with senior managers from the i3 production team in Leipzig during a fall visit to BMW to discuss the possibility, however, negotiations to use the BMW i3 body have broken off.

Previously Apple had approached the German automaker BMW last year for similar reasons according to the report; however BMW upon hearing insisted that the meetings and talks were regarding the Cupertino tech giant preparing an operating system for the i3 models.

The report additionally famous that Apple is engrossed with the auto’s carbon fiber physique, and the negotiation is just not but carried out and no clear deal is in place. The i3 has a range of around 150 miles per charge when used with an optional range extender in the form of a gas-powered, two-cylinder engine.

This marks the second round of rumors linking Apple and BMW in talks involving the BMW i3.

Apple’s potential entry into the electric auto market has provoked fevered speculation, with conflicting reports that the company is making some kind of electric minivan, and that it plans on challenging Google and Uber in making a self-driving vehicle.

Apple did not immediately return a request for comment.

Although the first negotiations were broken off, Apple and the BMW Group are still in talks, but BMW is said to be reluctant to share its carbon fiber technology with a vehicle that could become a competitor in the premium EV market. Last week, The Wall Street Journal reported that Doug Betts, who until recently served as global head of product and service quality at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles joined Apple in July. Apple also hired Paul Furgale, who is a researcher with a specialization in autonomous vehicles.