Oliver Blume, CEO of Porsche
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Correspondent Jeong Seong-ho = German sports car brand Porsche announced on the 18th that it had discussed a joint venture with iPhone maker Apple.
Porsche CEO Oliver Blume said in a videoconference during the companys annual earnings report that the companys executives had visited the US at the end of last year to discuss a joint venture with Apple, Reuters reported.
Blume added that executives at the time also met with information technology companies other than Apple to discuss the possibility of collaboration.
He said Porsche and Apple have traditionally worked closely together, and while the two companies are on the right spectrum, its too early to make any decisions about their future business.
Blume said we already have Apple CarPlay. “Were expanding this,” he added, adding that weve been discussing a number of exciting projects with Apple.
Blume didnt provide any further details, but the Wall Street Journal noted that the remarks today could rekindle long-standing speculation that Apple will enter the auto industry.
Citing an official, he said that this meeting took place at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November of last year and that Blume CEO and others attended and greeted each other.
The official said that there was no discussion about Apples independent automobile business at the time and no negotiations were made, and the discussion at the time had nothing to do with cars. He said that they discussed various digital businesses.
Foreign media have reported that Apple is pursuing a project to develop the so-called Apple Car, an electric vehicle capable of fully autonomous driving, under the name of Project Titan.
Blume also said Porsche was considering taking part in Formula One, one of the worlds top car races, but had yet to make a decision.
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