Is Apple Making a Car?

Glass apple logo in city

Apple has long set its sights on the motoring industry. As far back as 2008, rumours circulated that an Apple car was in the works, but progress has stalled on a number of occasions.


So, is Apple making a car, and if so, when will it hit the market?

What is known about the Apple car?

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the road to the Apple car has been full of twists, turns and abandoned negotiations. In 2014, ‘Project Titan’ began – the Wall Street Journal reported that Apple was hiring a range of automobile experts and engineers with the aim of launching a fully autonomous electric vehicle. In May 2018, the tech giant was reported to be in communication with Volkswagen – a partnership that literally crashed and burned as a result of test crashes and employee leaks.

In 2016, rumours suggested that ‘Project Titan’ had been shelved, but by 2020, the Apple car project was back on track. However, 2021 brought reports that negotiations between Apple and Hyundai, and its subsidiary company Kia, had broken down. By April of the same year, Apple CEO Tim Cook equivocated around Apple’s work on developing a car, but hinted that it was a project the company was invested in moving forward.

Is Apple making a car?

Currently, the Apple car is green lit – but it won’t be a fully autonomous vehicle, as the company had initially hoped. The Apple car will be partially autonomous, with a traditional driving seat, steering wheel and pedals (all of which had been removed for the initial autonomous prototype).

At the close of 2022, Bloomberg reported that Apple planned to launch a consumer model of the car by 2026, with a price point of $100,000. As such, the Apple car will be competition for the likes of the Tesla Model S and the top-end BMW i7. Further reports by Bloomberg suggest that the Apple car’s stats and features will be finalised by the end of 2024, with testing commencing in 2025 and production from 2026.

There is significant speculation about the Apple car’s design and technology, with the exact details remaining broadly unknown. Full iOS integration is expected, and a number of pending patents have been noted for vehicular features. These include patents for ‘movable sensors’, ‘smart headlights’ and ‘adjustable tinted windows’, amongst others.

Apple’s AI lead John Giannandrea is reported to be overseeing the Apple car project, with input from Kevin Lynch, a software developer who worked on the Apple Watch. As Apple itself has no experience in the automobile industry, they will need partners – at the time of writing, these are unconfirmed. Whether Apple achieves the goal of manufacturing a car after all these years remains to be seen.

Finance your dream car with My Car Credit

Owning an Apple car may not yet be within reach, but My Car Credit’s car finance calculator will give you a no-obligation quote for your dream vehicle. Contact us on enquiries@mycarcredit.co.uk to find out how we can get you behind the wheel today.

Rates from 9.9% APR. Representative APR 12.4%

Evolution Funding Ltd T/A My Car Credit

My Credit Rating

Excellent

  • You are a home owner
  • You have been on the electoral role for a long period of time
  • You have current credit arrangements and mortgage with no defaults
  • You have no CCJs, credit arrears or missed payments
  • You rarely apply for credit
  • You are employed or self-employed

Good

  • You are on the electoral role
  • You are a home owner or long standing tenant
  • You have a stable employment history
  • You have current credit arrangements with occasional missed payments
  • You have no CCJs

Fair

  • You are or have recently been on the electoral role
  • You may have recently changed address
  • You may have occasional missed payments
  • You may have an old CCJ
  • You may have regularly applied for credit

Poor

  • You may have had frequent changes in address
  • You may not be traceable on the voters roll
  • You may have exceeded credit card limits
  • You may have missed payments on current agreements
  • You may have had a CCJ in the past

Bad

  • You may not be traceable on the voters roll
  • Your credit cards are over their limits
  • You have recent CCJs
  • You may have been refused credit elsewhere
  • You may be in a debt management plan
£

X monthly repayments of
£X

Typical rate

Loan amount

Total payable

X% APR*

£X

£X

*for illustration purposes only

No impact on your credit score*

Representative Example

Borrowing £7,500 at a representative APR of 12.4%, annual interest rate (fixed) 12.36%, 47 monthly payments of £196.44 followed by 1 payment of £206.44 (incl. estimated £10 option to purchase fee), a deposit of £0.00, total cost of credit is £1,939.12, total amount payable is £9,439.12.

Evolution Funding Limited, trading as My Car Credit, is a credit broker and not a lender.

Please ensure you can afford the repayments for the duration of the loan before entering into a credit agreement.

*Initial application is a soft search. Should you progress, some lenders may perform a hard search on your credit file.

Require more help?

Got a question you can’t find the answer to, or need some advice and guidance around taking out car finance? Our Car Credit Specialists are friendly, experienced, and here to help so get in touch today!

What is Android Auto – and What Does It Do in Your Car? 

Android Auto Interface

If you’re an iPhone owner and enjoy making the most of your device’s many apps, you’ll likely already know about Apple CarPlay.

But what if you’re an Android owner? What is Android Auto in a car, and how can it benefit drivers? Read on to find out…

What is Android Auto?

Being able to safely use your phone’s various features, from maps to music, whilst driving is no longer just a future tech goal. 

Android Auto software allows you to mirror your Android phone screen onto your car’s infotainment system via a Bluetooth connection or USB cable. You can therefore use your phone’s various apps without illegally picking up the device itself.

With Android Auto, you can manipulate your car’s control dial, steering wheel buttons, or touch screen (depending on your model of car) in order to access the features you know and love on your Android phone.

How to work Android Auto in a car

You’ll need both an Android Auto-compatible car and a smartphone with at least version 6.0 Android software to work Android Auto. Any compatible phone with an operating system of Android 11.0 and above should connect wirelessly to your car, otherwise you’ll need a USB cable.

Android Auto is easy to set up in a compatible car – just plug your phone in and follow the onscreen instructions. Be aware that, whilst most cars are compatible with the system, some older models may not be, so it’s worth checking the specifications of your vehicle if Android Auto is a make-or-break feature for you.

Looking to upgrade your car?

If you want to upgrade your car to a new model with features like Android Auto, it’s important to also take a look at a car finance checker. Discover how My Car Credit can help you to finance your new wheels by emailing us at enquiries@mycarcredit.co.uk.

Rates from 9.9% APR. Representative APR 12.4%

Evolution Funding Ltd T/A My Car Credit

My Credit Rating

Excellent

  • You are a home owner
  • You have been on the electoral role for a long period of time
  • You have current credit arrangements and mortgage with no defaults
  • You have no CCJs, credit arrears or missed payments
  • You rarely apply for credit
  • You are employed or self-employed

Good

  • You are on the electoral role
  • You are a home owner or long standing tenant
  • You have a stable employment history
  • You have current credit arrangements with occasional missed payments
  • You have no CCJs

Fair

  • You are or have recently been on the electoral role
  • You may have recently changed address
  • You may have occasional missed payments
  • You may have an old CCJ
  • You may have regularly applied for credit

Poor

  • You may have had frequent changes in address
  • You may not be traceable on the voters roll
  • You may have exceeded credit card limits
  • You may have missed payments on current agreements
  • You may have had a CCJ in the past

Bad

  • You may not be traceable on the voters roll
  • Your credit cards are over their limits
  • You have recent CCJs
  • You may have been refused credit elsewhere
  • You may be in a debt management plan
£

X monthly repayments of
£X

Typical rate

Loan amount

Total payable

X% APR*

£X

£X

*for illustration purposes only

No impact on your credit score*

Representative Example

Borrowing £7,500 at a representative APR of 12.4%, annual interest rate (fixed) 12.36%, 47 monthly payments of £196.44 followed by 1 payment of £206.44 (incl. estimated £10 option to purchase fee), a deposit of £0.00, total cost of credit is £1,939.12, total amount payable is £9,439.12.

Evolution Funding Limited, trading as My Car Credit, is a credit broker and not a lender.

Please ensure you can afford the repayments for the duration of the loan before entering into a credit agreement.

*Initial application is a soft search. Should you progress, some lenders may perform a hard search on your credit file.

Require more help?

Got a question you can’t find the answer to, or need some advice and guidance around taking out car finance? Our Car Credit Specialists are friendly, experienced, and here to help so get in touch today!

Which Cars Support Apple CarPlay?

Apple CarPlay system in an Audi

Apple CarPlay is advertised as a kind of co-pilot. If you’re technologically savvy, you likely already know that you can use your Apple iPhone to gain access to your car.

Yep, your iPhone allows you (and pre-approved friends and/or family) to unlock and start your vehicle in much the same way as you would with standard car keys. Apple CarPlay is similarly designed to make life a little easier and – most importantly – safer.

So, which cars support CarPlay? Read on to learn more…

What is Apple CarPlay?

With Apple CarPlay, you can make and return calls, receive and send messages via dictation, listen to music and get directions via the CarPlay dashboard. Essentially, it allows you to safely access your apps even whilst driving. That’s provided you have Apple CarPlay installed in your car, and a phone model that’s an iPhone 5 or later.

If your car doesn’t have CarPlay pre-installed, then you can buy and install it via a system from retailers including Kenwood, Sony and JVC – but only on certain cars that will support it.

Which cars support CarPlay?

It’s worth noting that the list of cars that support CarPlay is constantly evolving as new models are launched. Currently, there are over 600 models to choose from, including those from some of the biggest motoring names like BMW, Audi, Aston Martin, Ford, Ferrari, Jaguar, Mini, Volkswagen and more.

The full list of vehicle models that support CarPlay – either at the present time or in the near future – can be found on Apple’s website. Typically, Apple CarPlay is only available on newer models.

The oldest model on which Apple CarPlay is available is the Kia Soul (2014 – 2021 models). Otherwise, vehicular makes and models available from 2015 onwards that support CarPlay include the Hyundai Genesis Sedan, Azera, and Sonata; the Kia Optima, Optima Hybrid, Sedona, and Soul EV; the LDV G10; and the G10 model from the car company Maxus. You won’t find a car that dates from before 2014 which can support Apple CarPlay, according to Apple’s own website.

Rates from 9.9% APR. Representative APR 12.4%

Evolution Funding Ltd T/A My Car Credit

My Credit Rating

Excellent

  • You are a home owner
  • You have been on the electoral role for a long period of time
  • You have current credit arrangements and mortgage with no defaults
  • You have no CCJs, credit arrears or missed payments
  • You rarely apply for credit
  • You are employed or self-employed

Good

  • You are on the electoral role
  • You are a home owner or long standing tenant
  • You have a stable employment history
  • You have current credit arrangements with occasional missed payments
  • You have no CCJs

Fair

  • You are or have recently been on the electoral role
  • You may have recently changed address
  • You may have occasional missed payments
  • You may have an old CCJ
  • You may have regularly applied for credit

Poor

  • You may have had frequent changes in address
  • You may not be traceable on the voters roll
  • You may have exceeded credit card limits
  • You may have missed payments on current agreements
  • You may have had a CCJ in the past

Bad

  • You may not be traceable on the voters roll
  • Your credit cards are over their limits
  • You have recent CCJs
  • You may have been refused credit elsewhere
  • You may be in a debt management plan
£

X monthly repayments of
£X

Typical rate

Loan amount

Total payable

X% APR*

£X

£X

*for illustration purposes only

No impact on your credit score*

Representative Example

Borrowing £7,500 at a representative APR of 12.4%, annual interest rate (fixed) 12.36%, 47 monthly payments of £196.44 followed by 1 payment of £206.44 (incl. estimated £10 option to purchase fee), a deposit of £0.00, total cost of credit is £1,939.12, total amount payable is £9,439.12.

Evolution Funding Limited, trading as My Car Credit, is a credit broker and not a lender.

Please ensure you can afford the repayments for the duration of the loan before entering into a credit agreement.

*Initial application is a soft search. Should you progress, some lenders may perform a hard search on your credit file.

Require more help?

Got a question you can’t find the answer to, or need some advice and guidance around taking out car finance? Our Car Credit Specialists are friendly, experienced, and here to help so get in touch today!