A previously undisclosed partnership between Apple and Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD has come to light, as reported by Bloomberg. The tech giant enlisted BYD to develop a custom battery for its ultimately failed self-driving car initiative, known as “Project Titan.”
The decade-long endeavor, which aimed to produce an autonomous Apple Car, reportedly burned through around $10 billion before being abandoned, with employees working on the project either getting laid off or reassigned.
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Apple’s interest in BYD was sparked in 2017 when the automaker introduced its Blade Battery, a lithium iron phosphate battery praised for its enhanced safety, durability, and lifespan, making it well-suited for EVs. The two companies reportedly entered into an initial agreement that year and collaborated for several years before the partnership dissolved.
While the specific reasons for the breakup were not disclosed, speculation points to trade tensions between the U.S. and China, as well as increased federal scrutiny over the sourcing of EV components, as possible factors that complicated the collaboration.
