Sources say Apple is speeding up on its electric car efforts

Well here’s some big news. Apparently tech giant, Apple, is buckling up and cruising down the fast lane to make some sparks in the automotive business. Sources familiar with the plan told The Wall Street Journal that the company committed to bring a vehicle to market by 2019. Known as Project Titan, the concept has reportedly been studied for years, but Apple just recently tripled the size of its team, bringing an additional 1,200 people on board.

Project Titan has been studied for years, but now Apple tripled the size of its team to get the project in motion. Image Source: Getty Images

With several automakers currently offering Apple CarPlay, which integrates iPhone functionality with a vehicle’s infotainment system, the company already has a foothold into the automotive industry. And just last month, Apple was reportedly discussing the use of an autonomous car testing facility in California, but sources claim its first car isn’t expected to be driverless.

Although there’s no word yet if Apple plans to set up its own manufacturing facility, like Tesla, or contract with an outside supplier, it recently recruited several automotive industry veterans to work on the project, including Fiat Chrysler’s Doug Betts and autonomous-vehicle researcher Paul Furgale. 

This could be the looks of Apple's EV when it hits the road in 2019. Image source: Techno Buffalo.

According to the Journal , the 2019 target date is far from concrete, since the company would still need to refine features and clear regulatory and production barriers. Under the reported timeline, Apple would come into the electric car market much later than many of its established future competitors.

Though the road that lies ahead is unclear, Apple knows one thing: it’s ready to step on the gas and give Tesla a drive for its money. 

Source: Business Insider