Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne met with Apple CEO Tim Cook on a recent California trip to talk cars. The meeting isn't an official confirmation Apple is designing a car, but does show the auto industry's interest in Apple's potential efforts.
Fiat and Apple CEO meeting backs up Apple's car plans
Mr. Marchionne said Tim Cook is "interested in Apple's intervention in the car, that's his role," according to Reuters. He didn't elaborate on what he meant, but his comment does add more weight to reports that Apple is designing an electric car.
The Mac Observer's sources backed up reports that Apple is working on an electric car code named Titan. The company hired away employees from Tesla for its project, and a top executive from Mercedes-Benz, too.
Mr. Marchionne also met with Tesla founder Elon Musk saying, "I'm incredibly impressed with what that kid has done." Tesla has been working to make electric cars more accessible and enticing for drivers.
Apple's public efforts to get into the automotive industry so far have been through CarPlay partnerships. CarPlay is a system for using iPhone features in cars via voice commands, a touch screen interface, or dashboard control buttons. It doesn't turn your car into an Apple device, but does make your iPhone a big part of the driving experience.
Based on Apple's hiring spree and information from insider sources, it's very likely Apple intends to get its electric car on the road. Fiat seems very interested in finding out what Apple is up to, and it's likely other car makers are paying close attention, too.