Reports have been coming in that Apple could be building its own car. The tech giant recently hired a number of automotive experts to help with an undetermined project, and without any comment. Inside sources have also confirmed the potential of such a project. However, Apple has not released comment regarding the Apple Car. But there's enough evidence to get journalists and shareholders interested.
According to a report from Bloomberg Business, shareholders believe that Apple should buy out Elon Musk's Tesla Motors as a way to start such a project. Not only would such a purchase provide Apple access to the world's top electric car company, but the Cupertino, Calif.-based company would also receive access to the infrastructure required to build such a project. Rumors of such a purchase have been spreading for more than a week, but Apple hasn't released comment.
The same was true during Apple CEO Tim Cook's appearance at a shareholder's meeting, where multiple investors expressed their support for Apple buying Tesla Motors.
"Quite frankly, I'd like to see you guys buy Tesla," one investor told Cook.
"There's something else I'm in love with that's not Apple -- that every time I see it just blows my mind -- and that's when I open my garage and see my Model S," said another investor who had invested in Apple as early as 1984. "Am I insane to imagine something might happen here?"
Cook was unwilling to comment on the possibility of such a purchase.
"We don't really have a relationship with Tesla," he said. "However, I'd love Tesla to pick up CarPlay. We now have every major auto brand committing to use CarPlay."
In other words, Apple isn't showing immediate signs that it plans to purchase Tesla Motors. That doesn't mean it won't happen in the future, but it isn't clear what Apple's short-term goals are in regard to the Apple Car or the potential acquisition of Tesla.
