Sergio Marchionne, the CEO of Fiat Chrysler, recently took a trip to California where he spoke with executives from Apple, Google, and Tesla. While nothing has been officially confirmed, there some well-founded rumors out there that Apple is working on an electric, semi-autonomous vehicle that is expected to launch within the next few years, and Marchionne’s claim that Apple is planning an “intervention” in the auto industry only adds fuel to the speculation flames.
Fiat Chrysler Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne said on Saturday that he had visited the heads of Tesla Motors Inc and Apple Inc during a recent trip to California. Marchionne, speaking on the sidelines of the opening of a Maserati dealership near Toronto, said he had met with Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook and Tesla CEO and founder Elon Musk, among others, on the trip, during which he also rode in Google Inc’s self-driving car. “I’m incredibly impressed with what that kid has done,” he said, referring to Musk. With regard to Apple’s Cook, he said: “He’s interested in Apple’s intervention in the car, that’s his role.” Marchionne was not more specific about Apple. Sources have said Apple has been developing its own electric self-driving car. The company has been open about wanting to integrate its core iOS software into autos with a system called CarPlay, which allows drivers to access information on their iPhones without taking their hands off the streering wheel.
