There have been a number of rumors recently that tech giant Apple was close to partnering with Hyundai for what would essentially be an Apple Car.
The car would be able to self-drive and be an electric vehicle. However, it now appears that the two companies will pause their discussions.Â
One of the main issues between the two companies was that Hyundai had purposefully leaked that it was in talks with Apple about a potential car. Hyundai then decided to backtrack the assertion and released an updated statement that did not include Apple.
Apple is notoriously secretive about their projects over the years and was clearly incensed by the news leak.
Once Hyundai made mention of their possible partnership with Apple, there were a number of follow ups to that news that said that Kia Motors, a Hyundai subsidiary, would also be involved. This reportedly would have included a $3.6 billion investment.
The mention of Kia as the potential manufacturer of the car as opposed to Hyundai itself has also proved to be a contentious point.
Most recently, however, the two companies have paused these negotiations and there is no real timetable of when the negotiations could start again.
Apple is also rumored to be talking to other companies outside of Hyundai.
The list of other possible partners for an Apple Car is not a particularly long one since only a select few automakers are even capable of producing such vehicles.
Whether or not these eligible suitors would also want to partner with Apple is unclear.
What is most clear about these developments is that Apple is gearing up for a move into the electric vehicle space and it is at least trying to play hardball with whoever wants to be a part of the project.
