Is the first “Apple Car” a Kia? According to a media report from South Korea, Hyundai, which is being seriously considered as a producer of Apple’s electric cars, is considering moving to a location in the United States that currently produces vehicles of that brand. Hyundai has a stake in Kia with around 34 percent. It seems important to Apple that the Apple Car rolls off the assembly line in its home country.

Georgia as the factory location The location of the Kia Motors factory is the 4000 – inhabitant town West Point in the US state of Georgia. Corresponding negotiations between Kia and Hyundai were carried out on Tuesday, writes the newspaper eDaily , citing informed circles.

Hyundai executives believe that the Kia factory could help make it easier to work with Apple. Hyundai itself seems to have concerns about becoming a direct producer because such contract manufacturing could potentially weaken its own brand – it is important to maintain Hyundai’s brand values ​​and not simply become an “OEM factory”.

Apple needs industry help The rumors about Hyundai and Apple as partners had only just settled crystallized in the last week. Previously, there had been reports that Apple had spoken to numerous car manufacturers. The group never builds its hardware itself, but relies on contract manufacturers. Since they currently have no competencies in automobile production, help is needed from the industry. Allegedly, Apple has even spoken to Volkswagen.

Hyundai had in the meantime even confirmed the cooperation – or the negotiations about it – to the US media. The statement was withdrawn a few hours later – probably under pressure from Apple. It is currently unclear when production will start, it is assumed that this could take years. The financial news agency Bloomberg recently threw the year 2024 into the ring, but Apple is also planning a “beta version” for 2022. (bsc)