Nissan has denied a report in the Financial Times that claimed the Japanese carmaker was approached by Apple to work together on an autonomous vehicle project.
“We are not in talks with Apple” a source close to Nissan told AFP, adding that the company “doesn’t need Apple to sell” its cars.
“When you make a product under the Apple brand, you give your soul – and your profit margins – to Apple.
“We are not interested in giving Apple the best that we offer. This should be under the Nissan brand.”
However, the source admitted that “Nissan is always open to exploring collaborations and partnerships to accelerate industry transformation”.
South Korean automotive manufacturer Hyundai and its affiliate Kia refuted similar claims last week after reports that Apple wished to discuss a potential partnership to develop EVs and batteries.
Apple’s Project Titan aims to develop electric autonomous vehicles and has been in the works some time. However, details of the venture have been kept under wraps by the notoriously tight-lipped company.
