“Apple and Google’s entrance into the auto sector is ‘awesome,’ and Ford will likely strike partnerships with the new players in the sector, Ford’s executive chairman said on Tuesday,” Arjun Kharpal reports for CNBC.
“During a question and answer session at the Web Summit conference in Dublin, Bill Ford said he was pleased that technology giants were entering the auto world,” Kharpal reports “‘I think it’s awesome,’ Ford said.”
“Speculation has been rife that Apple could be producing a vehicle of its own. The auto industry has been a big focus for technology companies as they begin to expand past their core business,” Kharpal reports “While the chairman of the auto giant declined to say whether Ford would collaborate with Apple and Google, he did predict that partnerships will be key for established carmakers to survive.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Good luck to traditional vehicle makers. You’re gonna need it.
SEE ALSO:
Analyst: Apple Car will cost an average of $55,000 – October 16, 2015
Apple speeds up electric-car efforts, aims for 2019 ‘ship date’ – September 21, 2015
Survey: 77% of hybrid or electric vehicle owners would likely buy an Apple Car – May 13, 2015
What to expect from the Apple Car: Disruption – August 31, 2015
Apple Car: Tesla engineer joins Apple’s ‘Project Titan’ vehicle effort – August 21, 2015
Apple Car development proceeds apace – July 27, 2015
Apple hires veteran Fiat Chrysler auto industry executive – July 20, 2015
What’s up with Carl Icahn’s sudden obsession with the Apple Car? – May 18, 2015
Survey: 77% of hybrid or electric vehicle owners would likely buy an Apple Car – May 13, 2015
Apple Car: Forget ‘electric,’ think hydrogen fuel cells – February 20, 2015
Apple working with Intelligent Energy on fuel cell technology for mobile devices, sources say – July 14, 2014
North Carolina regulators approve Apple’s 4.8-megawatt fuel cell facility at Maiden data center – May 23, 2012
New aerial images of Apple’s planned NC fuel cell, solar farms published – April 7, 2012
Apple’s massive fuel cell energy project to be largest in the U.S. – April 4, 2012
Apple patent application reveals next-gen fuel cell powered Macs and iOS devices – December 22, 2011
Apple patent app details highly-advanced hydrogen fuel cells to power portable devices – October 20, 2011
If Apple revolutionises the car industry like they’re revolutionising the TV industry with the stillborn ATV4 then traditional car makers won’t have much to worry about.
Well we shall see how still born it is in 6 months or so, its still a fundamentally superior product compared to others on the market in terms of concept and potential even if it has some temporary software failings presently letting it down. Someone really needs to put a rocket up the ass of the development teams at Apple mind that’s where SJ is missed.
What else is he gonna say?
He COULD say “We’ve spent a long time making cars….PC guys are not going to walk in.”
He says that Ford is likely to strike partnerships with new players in the sector. That could mean absolutely anything or nothing.
If Ford tries to make deals where it retains the upper hand and tries to call all the shots, then a strong player like Apple will tell them where to get off. On the other hand if they agree to a deal with Google, then Google will insist on acquiring enormous amounts of data on Ford’s passengers. I don’t think that customers are likely to find that an attractive proposition. It’s a great way to turn people away from your products.
I applaud Bill Ford for sounding constructive, which makes a refreshing change from the negativity coming from other car manufacturers, but I think he’s missed the boat. He could have dumped FordSYNC ages ago and adopted CarPlay, but instead chose to sideline Apple.
If Apple’s car turns out to be anything like what I expect it to be, then Apple won’t need partners from the traditional car industry.
Software is becoming increasingly crucial in modern cars, but car manufacturers simply don’t have the expertise to create it themselves to the standards that are required. I think it’s going to be easier for Apple to acquire the specialised car expertise it needs, than for Ford to acquire the software expertise that it needs. Ford needs a partner like Apple. Apple doesn’t need a partner like Ford.
Yeah ford, and pick Google so you fall even more in customer satisfaction like you did when you pick Microsoft for the car’s main cansole.
I hope Apple remembers Drucker’s admonition that business is all about ‘satisfying the customer.’
Auto makers seem to change things each year just to say “We have a new model.” Change is not necessarily good for easy human usability.
Admiration of flat touch screens for iPhones does NOT translate to easy ergonomic use in a vehicle by the driver.
Formula 1 driver controls tend to be on the wheel with physical buttons. My Toyota radio (which is used a lot) can be used entirely by feel. The last new car I was in had a radio that was unusable as you had to focus on various images on an LCD and it was not obvious how to use it.
Don’t say “vehicle push.”
What happens if one party wants to partner with another but the another doesn’t want said partnership? Shotgun wedding?