Hyundai Motor Co. said Sunday that, contrary to multiple reports, it is not in discussions with Apple Inc. to develop an autonomous electric car.
In a regulatory filing, the South Korean auto maker said it wanted to clarify “rumors” about a joint effort with Kia Motors Corp. to work with Apple
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“We are not conducting consultations with Apple on the development of autonomous vehicles,” Hyundai said in the filing, according to a translation.
Hyundai said its various talks about autonomous electric vehicles were in the early stages and nothing has been decided yet.
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Reports of the joint venture emerged last week, with reports saying the car would be built at a Kia factory in Georgia. Hyundai owns a controlling 38% stake in Kia.
Bloomberg News reported Friday that talks between Apple and the Korean auto makers had been paused, apparently because Apple was upset that news of the secret negotiations had been leaked by Hyundai. Bloomberg reported it was unclear when — or if — the talks would resume.
Hyundai had originally confirmed the negotiations in early January, sending its shares skyrocketing. Apple has been working on developing autonomous vehicles in one form or another for years, always under a layer of strict secrecy.
