Amid Apple Car Rumors, Volkswagen CEO Welcomes Competitors to Accelerate Automotive Industry Transformation

Volkswagen Group CEO Herbert Diess has responded to recent rumors about an Apple car, saying that the leading German automaker embraces competition and anticipates innovations from newcomers to the industry.

In response to a comment on LinkedIn asking about Apple’s “Project Titan”, first discovered by iMore, Diess said:

We are expecting new competitors who will undoubtedly accelerate the change in our industry again and bring new skills. The incredible valuation [of new competitors] and its virtually unlimited access to resources inspires us with great respect. A real challenge: dimensions larger than our industry (eg Toyota Motor Corporation).

I already said: the most valuable company in the world will once again be a mobility company; it could be Tesla, Apple or Volkswagen AG.

Monday, . reported that Apple aims to begin production of an autonomous vehicle from 2024. Apple is reportedly developing a “next-level” battery system that could “radically” reduce costs and increase the vehicle’s range, and plans to use it. of multiple LiDAR scanners for autonomous driving functions.

The Volkswagen Group has been the world’s largest automaker by sales since 2016 and sells vehicles from the brands Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, SEAT Škoda, MAN, Scania and Volkswagen. Diess’s comments illustrate the extent to which recent rumors about an Apple car have invaded the auto industry. Following the. Report, Apple shares rose about four percent, while Tesla’s fell about six percent.

Yesterday, Tesla CEO Elon Musk weighed in on discussions about an Apple car, saying he once approached Apple CEO Tim Cook about the possibility of Apple acquiring Tesla, but Cook “refused. to participate in the meeting.

If and when Apple starts selling a passenger car, Tesla, Volkswagen and Apple will likely be direct competitors, with all three companies investing heavily in autonomous driving technology.

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