From the report:
As the FAZ has now learned from informed sources, Apple is running a secret laboratory for the development of an automobile – and this in the middle of Berlin. In addition, there should be concrete plans when and how the iCar is introduced on the German market.
Today’s story reiterates previous reporting by big media that Apple’s rumored project is an electric vehicle without self-driving capabilities. Curiously, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung says that Apple is interested in a vehicle-sharing model used by BMW’s Drive-Now service and European car rental service Sixt.
Magna, which builds high-end, limited-edition vehicles for other car companies, is already contracted to build more than 100,000 vehicles for BMW in the next seven years and previously built the Mini Paceman and Clubman for the German car maker.
Many have questioned how Apple might manufacturer a vehicle given its inexperience in this area. FAZ sources say the company will enlist Magna, an auto parts maker in Austria, as a production partner. Magna is said to be the largest contract manufacturer of automobiles worldwide.
The rumor-mill said a year ago that Apple executives had visited Austria to meet with Magna officials to talk about the possibility of having its vehicle manufactured by Magna. And in an interesting twist of fate, Samsung SDI, the South Korean firm’s material and energy solution providing arm, in February 2015 purchased Magna’s battery pack unit for an undisclosed sum.
[Source]
