Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL), GEELY AUTOMOBILE HLD (GELYF) – Potential partners for an Apple car multiply, with Nissan latest to show interest

Since reports suggest that Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) has rekindled its electric car ambitions, several potential partners have been named.

The latest to throw a hat in the ring is the Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Co Ltd (Rose: NSANF).

Nissan joins the party: Nissan, which is slowly stabilizing its ship after a COVID-19 slowdown, is ready to explore a partnership with Apple.

This became evident in comments from Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida when asked about a potential partnership with Apple at a press conference to discuss the automaker’s recent quarterly results.

“As technology transforms the auto industry, we need to take new initiatives and work with companies that are knowledgeable, with good experience, through partnerships and collaboration,” Uchida reportedly said.

Related Link: 10 Things Apple Investors Might Want In 2021

Growing interest in partnership? When Apple Car rumors resurfaced late last year, it was speculated that Apple could work with the foundry. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg. Co. Ltd. (NYSE: TSM) in manufacturing chips for an autonomous car.

Later, the South Korean auto giant Hyundai Motor Company GDR (Pink: HYMTF) confirmed that it was in talks with Apple regarding manufacturing electric vehicles, although it later said it was in negotiations with several automakers.

Reports that emerged last weekend suggest that talks between Hyundai and Apple have collapsed.

French car manufacturer Renault ADR (Rose: RNLSY) might be a better potential partner for Apple, according to analysts at JPMorgan. Renault’s contract manufacturing experience, industrial collaboration and massive inactivity capacity in Europe could be selling propositions for a potential partnership, analysts said.

Incidentally, Apple’s iPhone supplier Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.-ADR (OTC: HNHPF), popularly known as Foxconn, announced a partnership with the Chinese automaker in mid-January Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd (OTC: GELYF) to offer complete vehicles, parts, intelligent drive systems, automotive ecosystem platforms and the electric vehicle industry value chain.

While speculation abounds, one thing seems certain at the moment: Apple’s EV plans could be long-term given the manufacturing complexities and regulatory issues involved.

Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives said there was a good chance Apple would partner with companies like Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA) or Unsponsored Volkswagen AG represents 1 10th ADR Sh (Rose: VWAGY) or other auto manufacturers in China such as Nio Inc – ADR (NYSE: NIO) and Xpeng Inc – ADR (NYSE: XPEV).

“It could lay the groundwork for a dual track of starting to build its own line of EV automobiles after 2025 if this EV / autonomous company is successful with consumers,” the analyst said in a note.

Related Link: Apple Is Better Off With Cryptocurrencies Than EVs: Analyst