Bo-eun leads the digital content team. She has covered foreign affairs, North Korea, tech, economy and gender issues at The Korea Times. She did a short stint at the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong, where she obtained a new perspective on news production and life. Small sources of joy for her are lounging in the sun, having a good latte and swimming.
Hyundai-Kia nearing deal with Apple?
By Kim Bo-eun
A rendering of an “Apple Car”
By Kim Bo-eun
All eyes are on whether Kia will comment on a deal to partner with Apple in producing self-driving electric vehicles, after a foreign media report stated the parties are nearing a deal.
CNBC reported earlier this week that Apple is close to finalizing a contract with Hyundai Motor and Kia to manufacture an Apple-branded autonomous EV at Kia's plant in Georgia.
Kia has maintained that nothing has been decided on yet. But the carmaker is set to hold an event for investors Feb. 9 and attention is being drawn to whether the company will unveil the specifics of the plan at that time.
The CNBC report said the "Apple Car" under development at the tech giant aims to be put into production in 2024, although the official launch could be delayed.
Kuo Ming-chi, an analyst at Taiwan-based TF International Securities, said in an investor note that Apple's first vehicle is expected to be built around Hyundai's E-GMP electric vehicle platform. Kuo projected that Hyundai Mobis will be in charge of designing and producing some of the components.
Industry watchers believe Hyundai-Kia's EV supply chain makes the company a favorable partner for Apple. Hyundai Motor has a production capacity of 7 million vehicles a year. Apple could request Hyundai to designate manufacturing lines to produce only Apple vehicles strictly based on designs it provides, according to industry sources.
Hyundai's E-GMP platform is also seen as an enticing factor for Apple, as not many carmakers have original EV platforms.