Apple has abandoned its ambitions to produce an electric car, US media reported Tuesday, ending a struggling decade-long project.

The iPhone maker had dedicated nearly 2,000 employees to its secretive car development programme, Bloomberg reported, but faced an increasingly competitive electric vehicle (EV) sector.

The target of "Project Titan," beginning around 2014, was to develop a fully autonomous car, according to media reports.

The decision to shut down the car project was announced internally on Tuesday, Bloomberg and The New York Times reported, citing unnamed sources.

WATCH |&nbsp;Apple cancels its autonomous electric car project

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Apple had reportedly invested billions of dollars in the project.

The tech giant did not respond to AFP requests for comment.

Apple has never publicly disclosed its EV plans, despite a steady drip of media leaks over the years.

In 2022, the specialist site The Information published a report detailing the problems faced by the project, including the departure of multiple executives due to a lack of support from the leadership.&nbsp;

Several US automakers have hit the brakes on EVs in recent months as demand has slowed. Self-driving carmakers Cruise and Waymo -- which is owned by Google parent Alphabet -- have also struggled to expand their products beyond San Francisco.

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Elon Musk's Tesla, one of the EV industry's leaders, has also warned of slower growth in 2024.

In a post on X, Musk responded to news of Apple shutting down its car project with emojis showing a salute and a cigarette.

Apple will transfer many employees from the shuttered car division to generative artificial intelligence (AI) projects, Bloomberg reported.

"On one hand this is a modest disappointment, as the view within (Apple headquarters was)... with roughly 2,000 employees on this initiative that an Apple Car was still on the medium-term horizon," Wedbush's Dan Ives said in an analyst statement.&nbsp;

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But on the other hand, he said, "the laser focus within Apple is ramping up and executing a broad AI strategy within the Apple ecosystem, as it appears the vast majority of these engineers and developers will now focus their efforts on AI."

Generative AI -- popularised by the success of ChatGPT, from the Microsoft-backed OpenAI -- makes it possible to produce text, images, sound and other output simply by submitting a request in everyday language.&nbsp;

Around the world, major tech companies including Google, Microsoft, Meta and Amazon are rapidly pursuing the development and deployment of AI products.&nbsp;

But so far, Apple has had little to say on the subject beyond using AI in photo editing. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Apple has abandoned its ambitions to produce an electric car, US media reported Tuesday, ending a struggling decade-long project. The iPhone maker had dedicated nearly 2,000 employees to its secretive car development programme, Bloomberg reported, but faced an increasingly competitive electric vehicle (EV) sector.

Apple has abandoned its ambitions to produce an electric car, US media reported Tuesday, ending a struggling decade-long project. The iPhone maker had dedicated nearly 2,000 employees to its secretive car development programme, Bloomberg reported, but faced an increasingly competitive electric vehicle (EV) sector. The target of "Project Titan," beginning around 2014, was to develop a fully autonomous car, according to media reports. The decision to shut down the car project was announced internally on Tuesday, Bloomberg and The New York Times reported, citing unnamed sources. WATCH | Apple cancels its autonomous electric car project Apple had reportedly invested billions of dollars in the project. The tech giant did not respond to AFP requests for comment. Apple has never publicly disclosed its EV plans, despite a steady drip of media leaks over the years. In 2022, the specialist site The Information published a report detailing the problems faced by the project, including the departure of multiple executives due to a lack of support from the leadership. Several US automakers have hit the brakes on EVs in recent months as demand has slowed. Self-driving carmakers Cruise and Waymo -- which is owned by Google parent Alphabet -- have also struggled to expand their products beyond San Francisco. Also Read | India warns Apple users of major cyber attack. Here’s the list of devices at highest risk Elon Musk's Tesla, one of the EV industry's leaders, has also warned of slower growth in 2024. In a post on X, Musk responded to news of Apple shutting down its car project with emojis showing a salute and a cigarette. Apple will transfer many employees from the shuttered car division to generative artificial intelligence (AI) projects, Bloomberg reported. "On one hand this is a modest disappointment, as the view within (Apple headquarters was)... with roughly 2,000 employees on this initiative that an Apple Car was still on the medium-term horizon," Wedbush's Dan Ives said in an analyst statement. Also Read | Apple initiates testing phase for 'Ask', AI tool comparable to ChatGPT But on the other hand, he said, "the laser focus within Apple is ramping up and executing a broad AI strategy within the Apple ecosystem, as it appears the vast majority of these engineers and developers will now focus their efforts on AI." Generative AI -- popularised by the success of ChatGPT, from the Microsoft-backed OpenAI -- makes it possible to produce text, images, sound and other output simply by submitting a request in everyday language. Around the world, major tech companies including Google, Microsoft, Meta and Amazon are rapidly pursuing the development and deployment of AI products. But so far, Apple has had little to say on the subject beyond using AI in photo editing. (With inputs from agencies)

Apple abandons ambitious electric car plan after a decade: Reports

Hyundai Motor said on Friday that early talks are going on with Apple after local media reported that the two giants were discussing a tie-up to develop electric cars and batteries.

"Apple and Hyundai are in discussion, but as it is early stage, nothing has been decided," Hyundai, in a statement, said.

Watch |&nbsp;

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Korea Economic TV said that Apple had approached South Korean auto giant Hyundai for a potential partnership to manufacture electric cars and batteries for them.&nbsp;

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South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted a representative from Hyundai as saying that the talks with Apple are "at an initial stage".&nbsp;

Weeks ago, Reuters reported that the iPhone maker was developing self-driving car technology and targetting to manufacture a passenger vehicle as early as 2024 with its own breakthrough battery technology.&nbsp;

Apple's Project Titan is dedicated develop to self-driving technology but the Silicon Valley giant is known to not reveal its projects.

Hyundai has already rolled out fully-electric cars and announced it will come up with ten models of "electrified, eco-focused vehicles" including hybrid and hydrogen-powered models by the end of 2022.

Following the news, the shares of Hyundai skyrocketed 19.4 per cent in Seoul, with its affiliate Kia also seeing a rise of 8.4 per cent at the close.&nbsp; 
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Hyundai Motor said on Friday that early talks are going on with Apple after local media reported that the two giants were discussing a tie-up to develop electric cars and batteries.

Hyundai Motor said on Friday that early talks are going on with Apple after local media reported that the two giants were discussing a tie-up to develop electric cars and batteries. "Apple and Hyundai are in discussion, but as it is early stage, nothing has been decided," Hyundai, in a statement, said. Watch | Korea Economic TV said that Apple had approached South Korean auto giant Hyundai for a potential partnership to manufacture electric cars and batteries for them. Also read | Privacy for sale as Apple and Facebook fight for consumers South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted a representative from Hyundai as saying that the talks with Apple are "at an initial stage". Weeks ago, Reuters reported that the iPhone maker was developing self-driving car technology and targetting to manufacture a passenger vehicle as early as 2024 with its own breakthrough battery technology. Apple's Project Titan is dedicated develop to self-driving technology but the Silicon Valley giant is known to not reveal its projects. Hyundai has already rolled out fully-electric cars and announced it will come up with ten models of "electrified, eco-focused vehicles" including hybrid and hydrogen-powered models by the end of 2022. Following the news, the shares of Hyundai skyrocketed 19.4 per cent in Seoul, with its affiliate Kia also seeing a rise of 8.4 per cent at the close.

Hyundai in talks with Apple for developing electric cars

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Apple abandons ambitious electric car plan after a decade: Reports

Hyundai in talks with Apple for developing electric cars