Apple, Chinese suppliers can’t reach deal on batteries for an ‘Apple Car’

A new report from Reuters claims that talks with Chinese suppliers who could make the battery for the rumored Apple Car have broken down.

The tech giant’s negotiations with China’s CATL and BYD over battery supplies “have been mostly stalled after they refused to set up teams and build U.S. plants that would solely cater to” Apple, the article says, quoting three unnamed “people with knowledge of the discussions.”

Reuters says that the firms informed Apple sometime in the past two months that they were not able to meet its requirements. However, the article adds that the tech giant hasn’t given up hope of resuming talks with either CATL or BYD.

When might we see an Apple Car?

The status of an Apple auto is unclear. On June 2, Bloomberg reported that Apple has lost “several” top managers from its “Apple Car” project. Here’s what the report says: Apple Inc. has lost multiple top managers of its self-driving car team in recent months, a sign of attrition at the division involved in what could become an important future product.

If an Apple Car ever arrives, it probably won’t arrive until 2024 at the earliest. In fact, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo doesn’t expect it until at least 2025.The accompanying graphic illustrates a vehicle comprising a transparent surface which provides an augmented reality display that modifies occupant-perceived information presented by a sign located in the external environment.