Korean media: Apple went to South Korea to select auto parts suppliers, and companies set up special teams to dock

Apple expects to complete the selection of Apple's automotive suppliers within this year and begin full development. Apple is very interested in Korean companies in its core component segment.

On January 12, South Korean media outlet ETNews reported that Apple employees visited South Korea last month and met with several component manufacturers. It was Apple's second trip to South Korea since last summer, and Apple discussed electric vehicle batteries with LG and SK.

Apple is looking for several South Korean electronics makers to plan a final lineup to supply Apple cars. Apple has shown great interest in electronic parts companies with experience in mass production.

South Korean media said that there is news that Apple began to discuss Apple car parts with a South Korean electronic parts manufacturer at the end of last year. Specific Apple car specifications and performance have not yet been determined.

Some industry insiders said that Apple was interested in proposing an equity investment in a South Korean electronic parts manufacturer. It also requires the company to triple its production capacity for electronic parts. It's unclear whether the company that received the offer accepted Apple's offer.

South Korean media said that after face-to-face meetings with some parts manufacturers, Apple will continue to discuss parts through online meetings. Since the specification is still in a very early stage, there is no specific information or discussion related to the specification.

An official from the parts industry said: "Business related to Apple cars is conducted in secret. If information is leaked to a company, then that company may be removed from the list of candidate suppliers. The processing is very careful. ”

Some component makers that have worked with Apple in the smartphone space have even set up a "task force" to actively address Apple's car business. In the field of batteries, which are key components of electric vehicles, Apple is actively looking for South Korean companies.

Korean media reported that Apple has formulated policies to directly develop and manage Apple's car battery materials. Apple is more inclined to cooperate with Korean companies in the field of batteries.

The South Korean media report is consistent with the views of investment bank Wedbush. Wedbush recently released a report that Apple will select a major partner for Apple Car by the end of this year and publicly announced it.

Reuters has previously reported that Apple aims to produce "Apple Car" by 2024 and plans to use "next-generation" battery technology. However, there have been some recent news of key supply chains, Apple is expected to release apple car as soon as September 2022, at least two years earlier than originally planned, and its prototype has been tested in California.