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> “Apple could see Hyundai as an ideal partner, because when it comes to legacy U.S. automakers, they all have strong union, which Apple would like to avoid,” s

> “Apple could see Hyundai as an ideal partner, because when it comes to legacy U.S. automakers, they all have strong union, which Apple would like to avoid,” said Kevin Yoo, an analyst at eBEST Investment & Securities. This makes no sense whatsoever - Hyundai Motor has a strong labor union with a long history of frequent and drawn-out strikes: http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20200426000206 http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20200426000206 . So it's a complete nonsense to mention the labor union as a possible reason to avoid US automakers and choose Hyundai.

bgorman 6y ago
The foreign car manufacturers in the US are all in the south, where they can operate without labor unions. Hyundai's assembly line in the US seems to be in Alabama: https://www.hmmausa.com https://www.hmmausa.com
- snoshy 6y ago
  While this is certainly an interesting point, it really doesn't seem feasible for Apple to partner with any existing car manufacturer while escaping a higher level of human rights scrutiny than other firms. They've had many instances in the media over the years documenting this type of exploitation, all in non-US locations to be sure, but nevertheless, it's a concern that has tarnished the brand a bit over the years. Furthermore, non-unionized partners seem unlikely to be part of the criteria on the face of it, if you're attempting to build a presumably high-end product like an Apple car. If worker benefits deriving from union activity are a large enough threat to your product, it's unlikely that you're going to be able to command high margins on it, as Apple seems to do. Lastly, while it's one of many minor concerns, perhaps, I find all of this quite implausible, given the stature of the Apple brand. It's a huge risk to potentially dilute the Apple image with a failed or likely initially not-quite-great partnership with a company like Hyundai. Why do that and not approach one of the dozens of other higher end manufacturers like Mercedes Benz, or BMW, that are likely wanting for battery tech anyway?
rswail 6y ago
Typical analyst BS. Unions are only a "problem" for US manufacturers because employers (and pension funds) are burdened with ongoing health insurance. If the US becomes as civilized as every other OECD nation in terms of health provision, making it available to all residents and untying it from employment status, then the burden of that cost will be removed.

bgorman 6y ago

The foreign car manufacturers in the US are all in the south, where they can operate without labor unions. Hyundai's assembly line in the US seems to be in Alabama: https://www.hmmausa.com https://www.hmmausa.com

snoshy 6y ago
While this is certainly an interesting point, it really doesn't seem feasible for Apple to partner with any existing car manufacturer while escaping a higher level of human rights scrutiny than other firms. They've had many instances in the media over the years documenting this type of exploitation, all in non-US locations to be sure, but nevertheless, it's a concern that has tarnished the brand a bit over the years. Furthermore, non-unionized partners seem unlikely to be part of the criteria on the face of it, if you're attempting to build a presumably high-end product like an Apple car. If worker benefits deriving from union activity are a large enough threat to your product, it's unlikely that you're going to be able to command high margins on it, as Apple seems to do. Lastly, while it's one of many minor concerns, perhaps, I find all of this quite implausible, given the stature of the Apple brand. It's a huge risk to potentially dilute the Apple image with a failed or likely initially not-quite-great partnership with a company like Hyundai. Why do that and not approach one of the dozens of other higher end manufacturers like Mercedes Benz, or BMW, that are likely wanting for battery tech anyway?

rswail 6y ago

Typical analyst BS. Unions are only a "problem" for US manufacturers because employers (and pension funds) are burdened with ongoing health insurance. If the US becomes as civilized as every other OECD nation in terms of health provision, making it available to all residents and untying it from employment status, then the burden of that cost will be removed.