Apple Car Will Be Build on Hyundai’s E-GMP Battery Platform: Ming-Chi Kuo

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo on Monday added fuel to the idea of the Apple Car and a partnership with Hyundai.

If Kuo’s analysis rings true, the California-based tech giant isn’t only eyeing Hyundai, but General Motors and Stellantis, too. AppleInsider reported on Kuo’s latest remarks in an investor note for TF Securities, which specifically link Hyundai’s recently revealed E-GMP platform to the long-rumoured Apple Car.

The chassis’ base specs include 300 miles of range on a full charge, a top speed of 160 mph, and 0-60 mph in less than 3.5 seconds, reads the report. Even more exciting is the charging technology, which addresses a problem that electric car makers have yet to “fix.” The Hyundai E-GMP supports fast-charging tech that delivers up to an 80 percent charge in just 18 minutes, and up to 60 miles of range from just five minutes of charging.

“Apple’s deep collaboration with current automakers (Hyundai Group, GM, and PSA) who have extensive development, production, and qualification experience will significantly shorten the Apple Car development time and create a time-to-market advantage,” Kuo writes. “We believe that Apple will leverage current automakers’ resources and focus on self-driving hardware and software, semiconductors, battery-related technologies, form factor and internal space designs, innovative user experience, and the integration with Apple’s existing ecosystem.”

According to the analyst, Hyundai will make available its E-GMP platform and lead efforts in the design and production of some Apple Car components. Kuo also corroborates a detail that suggests Hyundai Motor’s Kia brand will handle production of the car at its plant in Georgia.

The analyst further dismisses the possibility that Foxconn, a crucial player in Apple’s iPhone, will be involved in the Apple Car. That’s despite Foxconn’s recent announcements that it plans to play in the EV segment.

More importantly, Kuo anticipates that the Apple Car likely won’t hit the road until 2025. Additionally, the first Apple automobile willl reportedly be priced significantly higher than a regular electric vehicle. This falls in line chatter going around in the industry that Apple’s electric car will be a high-end machine, and not necessarily a mass-market vehicle.