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Would Apple buy a big already established large player ? Their style is more like buying a tiny player, integrating it and rebranding their expertise under Appl

by gutnor 9y ago

Would Apple buy a big already established large player ? Their style is more like buying a tiny player, integrating it and rebranding their expertise under Apple flag. I was thinking that Lotus would have been the type of Apple candidate and on the market for acquisition. That's basically starting the same road as Tesla, 15 later - seems a bit late for that. Volvo is another company that would align nicely with Apple design goals, but similarly they have progressed along too well. Maybe brand like Saab that has still retained enough engineering capability, had some traditional car design know how ( interior design like seat, ... ) that can quickly (i.e. Apple need a fully autonomous car in the next 10 years top) be capitalised with Apple own know-how into a decent Tesla, VW, BMW, Volvo 2025 competitor ?

wlesieutre 9y ago
> Would Apple buy a big already established large player ? Their style is more like buying a tiny player, integrating it and rebranding their expertise under Apple flag. Except for Beats, where Apple bought an established large player and left them under the Beats brand
chadgeidel 9y ago
As both a Lotus fan and an Apple fan, I'm not sure their goals are at all aligned. Lotus is singularly focused on a "pure driving experience" and their cars are minimalistic (very few driving aids, very little noise insulation, thinly padded seats, firm suspension damping) by design. They only recently adopted automatic transmissions in their "flagship" car (the Evora). I really don't think an autonomous Lotus would be "a Lotus". I would be shocked if any current or potential Lotus owner would be interested in a "automated Lotus". That being said, I think the number of "current or potential Lotus owners" is a vanishingly small market, so it may not matter.
peterclary 9y ago
Could they use some of their overseas money to buy a non-US car company (wholly listed on a non-US exchange)?

by gutnor 9y ago

wlesieutre 9y ago

> Would Apple buy a big already established large player ? Their style is more like buying a tiny player, integrating it and rebranding their expertise under Apple flag. Except for Beats, where Apple bought an established large player and left them under the Beats brand

chadgeidel 9y ago

As both a Lotus fan and an Apple fan, I'm not sure their goals are at all aligned. Lotus is singularly focused on a "pure driving experience" and their cars are minimalistic (very few driving aids, very little noise insulation, thinly padded seats, firm suspension damping) by design. They only recently adopted automatic transmissions in their "flagship" car (the Evora). I really don't think an autonomous Lotus would be "a Lotus". I would be shocked if any current or potential Lotus owner would be interested in a "automated Lotus". That being said, I think the number of "current or potential Lotus owners" is a vanishingly small market, so it may not matter.

peterclary 9y ago

Could they use some of their overseas money to buy a non-US car company (wholly listed on a non-US exchange)?