Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirmed holding talks with Apple Inc. after reports speculating about an Apple-Tesla partnership swirled across media.
Apple dealmaker Adrian Perica was seen with Space X and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, which created a series of rumors about a Tesla-Apple partnership, first reported by San Francisco Chronicle, Sunday. Since then, several media reports speculated a possible iCar or a new Tesla car with Apple's customization. These rumors were further fueled when Musk confirmed having talks with Apple.
"We had conversations with Apple," Musk said in an interview with Bloomberg Television's Betty Liu on Wednesday. "I can't comment on whether those revolved around any kind of acquisition."
Though Musk confirmed a rendezvous with Apple's executive, he failed to give details of the meeting. He also dismissed the possibility of a potential sale of Tesla Motors to the Cuppertino-based tech giant saying his company is focused on creating a market that will be dominated by electric cars. Talks of acquisition, he said, would distract the company from achieving its destined goal.
About talks of a potential integration with Android and iOS, Musk said that Tesla had considered Android for cars, but ruled it out as it was secondary to the company's focus. "I could certainly see us potentially doing ... something that allows people to use Android or iOS applications, but that's somewhat peripheral to the fundamental goal of Tesla," he said
Musk's acknowledgement of an Apple-Tesla meeting was so impressive that Tesla's shares rose as much as 11 percent on Nasdaq to an all-time high of $215.21 and skyrocketed 9 percent at $211.85 in afternoon trading, Thursday. Tesla revealed that its 6,892 Model S vehicles were sold and delivered during the fourth quarter last year, setting a new record sale for the luxury S model. Revenue climbed up to $610.9 million, up from $294.4 million a year ago. Tesla is aiming to deliver 35,000 Model S vehicles in 2014, a target set 55 percent higher than what the company achieved in 2013.
