Summary
- The Apple Car project was scrapped due to difficulties with sales, service, and support
- Apple worked with BYD to develop a proprietary battery system for the car
- This partnership led to the development of BYD’s blade-style battery packs
- Tesla promoted Omead Afshar, an Elon Musk confidante, to oversee operations in North America and Europe
- Unauthorized individuals have been sneaking into The Boring Company’s Vegas Loop tunnel system
Article
Apple’s Secret Project With BYD for The Apple Car Battery
Apple’s Project Titan, the ambitious plan to build an Apple Car, may have been scrapped, but its spirit lives on in the battery system developed in collaboration with Chinese auto giant BYD. The partnership between Apple and BYD aimed to create a proprietary battery system for the car, inspired BYD’s modern blade-style battery packs. The technology developed with BYD would have been highly customized for the vehicle, with Apple engineers bringing expertise in advanced battery packs and heat management, while BYD contributed manufacturing know-how and advancements using LFP cells.
Tesla Taps Elon Musk’s Inner Circle For New VP
Tesla has recently seen a number of executive departures, prompting Elon Musk to promote Omead Afshar to oversee operations in North America and Europe. Afshar, a long-time confidante of Musk, previously worked in the "Office of the CEO" and has held roles at SpaceX and X. He played a key role in developing Tesla’s new headquarters and flagship Gigafactory in Austin, Texas. Despite a past scandal involving the ordering of "special glass" for Musk’s personal use, Afshar has now been promoted to a VP position at Tesla.
People Keep Sneaking Into The Vegas Loop
The Vegas Loop, a tunnel system created by The Boring Company, has had incidents involving trespassers since 2022, including skateboarders and cars that have followed Teslas into the tunnel stations. While the loop is meant for transporting convention-goers quickly, unauthorized vehicles have entered the tunnels, with some incidents resulting in security concerns. The Boring Company is working to install more security measures to prevent future intrusions.
Did Apple Mess Up By Cancelling Its Car?
After investing billions of dollars in Project Titan, Apple ultimately decided to cancel the Apple Car. The decision raised questions about whether Apple missed an opportunity by not entering the EV market or if it avoided the challenges of sales, service, and recalls that other automakers face. As EVs continue to gain popularity, Apple’s choice to scrap the car project remains a topic of debate among enthusiasts and analysts.
Conclusion
The Apple Car project may have been cancelled, but its impact on the development of EV technology, specifically BYD’s blade-style battery system, continues to be felt in the industry. Tesla’s strategic executive appointments and security measures in the Vegas Loop highlight ongoing developments in the automotive and tech sectors. As companies navigate the challenges and opportunities in the EV market, the decisions made by industry leaders like Apple and Tesla shape the future of transportation.
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