EXCLUSIVE: Nissan opens up about talks with Apple on self-driving cars | READ DETAILS
chuks oti
Feb 15, 2021
Japanese auto maker Nissan said Monday it is not in talks with Apple to develop self-driving cars, a week after Hyundai also denied reports it was discussing the top-secret project with the US tech giant.
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Apple's Project Titan is devoted to electric autonomous vehicles and has been in the works for several years - but details of the venture have been kept under wraps by the notoriously tight-lipped company.
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Nissan's denial came after the Financial Times reported that the iPhone maker had approached it in recent months about a tie-up related to the project, which did not go ahead.
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"We are not in talks with Apple. However, Nissan is always open to exploring collaborations and partnerships to accelerate industry transformation," the Japanese firm said.
A source close to Nissan told AFP that the company "doesn't need Apple to sell" its cars.
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"When you make a product under the Apple brand, you give your soul - and your profit margins - to Apple," the source said on condition of anonymity.
"We are not interested in giving Apple the best that we offer. This should be under the Nissan brand."
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The denial followed a similar statement from South Korea's Hyundai and its affiliate Kia last week after reports said Apple had wanted to discuss a potential partnership to develop electric vehicles and batteries.
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Apple first revealed its self-driving tech aspirations in 2016 and Chief Executive Tim Cook later said he saw autonomous driving systems as a "core technology" for the future.
Nissan has been a pioneer in electric vehicles since its Leaf model was released over a decade ago.
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But the struggling firm - still trying to recover from the devastating reputational damage caused by the sudden departure of now fugitive tycoon Carlos Ghosn - desperately needs a new hit.
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In July, Nissan unveiled the Ariya, a new 100 percent electric crossover model that it said would open a "new era" in the firm's fortunes.
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Monday's statement caused its shares to fall 2.8 percent to 610 yen.
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— chuks oti