Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirmed that the company had conversations with Apple in a recent Bloomberg interview; however, he refused to reveal whether those talks were about an acquisition.
Just days ago, SFGate reported on the talks leading to speculation that the company might be partnering with Apple on its battery giga-factory.
Here's what Musk had to say...
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Betty Liu: Yesterday your shareholders got a little bit richer on these reports that you had met with the acquisitions team at Apple. Is there any truth to a possible partnership/merger with Apple?
Elon Musk: Um, of course, if one or more companies had approached last year about such things there’s no way we could really comment on that.
Betty Liu: Well, did you have a conversation with Apple?
Elon Musk: We had conversations with Apple. I can’t comment on whether those revolved around any kind of acquisition.
Betty Liu: Are you for sale? If there was a right price, are you for sale?
Elon Musk: I think that’s very unlikely because when you stay super focused on achieving a compelling, creating a compelling, mass market electric car and I’d be very concerned in any kind of acquisition scenario that whoever it is that they would become distracted from that task which has always been the driving goal of Tesla.
Betty Liu: Bu you say it’s very unlikely but I’m not hearing - Elon sometimes - the years that I’ve known you if something is not going to happen you say no. But I’m not hearing that. I’m hearing that there’s a door open here perhaps at some point.
Elon Musk: Well, if there was a scenario where it seemed like it would be more likely that we would be able to create the mass market affordable compelling car then possibly it would make sense to entertain those discussions. I don’t currently see any scenario that would improve that probability, that’s why I think it’s very unlikely.
Betty Liu: If anything Elon, if Apple were to come to you and say, “We want to get into the car business. We want to perhaps start making cars.” What would you tell them? Given your own experience.
Elon Musk: What would I tell Apple if they said they wanted to make cars?
Betty Liu: Yeah.
Elon Musk: I’d probably tell them that I think it’s a great idea.
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Musk also discussed the possibility of using iOS or Android in the car. Take a look at the full interview below...
Just days ago, SFGate reported on the talks leading to speculation that the company might be partnering with Apple on its battery giga-factory.
Here's what Musk had to say...
-----
Betty Liu: Yesterday your shareholders got a little bit richer on these reports that you had met with the acquisitions team at Apple. Is there any truth to a possible partnership/merger with Apple?
Elon Musk: Um, of course, if one or more companies had approached last year about such things there’s no way we could really comment on that.
Betty Liu: Well, did you have a conversation with Apple?
Elon Musk: We had conversations with Apple. I can’t comment on whether those revolved around any kind of acquisition.
Betty Liu: Are you for sale? If there was a right price, are you for sale?
Elon Musk: I think that’s very unlikely because when you stay super focused on achieving a compelling, creating a compelling, mass market electric car and I’d be very concerned in any kind of acquisition scenario that whoever it is that they would become distracted from that task which has always been the driving goal of Tesla.
Betty Liu: Bu you say it’s very unlikely but I’m not hearing - Elon sometimes - the years that I’ve known you if something is not going to happen you say no. But I’m not hearing that. I’m hearing that there’s a door open here perhaps at some point.
Elon Musk: Well, if there was a scenario where it seemed like it would be more likely that we would be able to create the mass market affordable compelling car then possibly it would make sense to entertain those discussions. I don’t currently see any scenario that would improve that probability, that’s why I think it’s very unlikely.
Betty Liu: If anything Elon, if Apple were to come to you and say, “We want to get into the car business. We want to perhaps start making cars.” What would you tell them? Given your own experience.
Elon Musk: What would I tell Apple if they said they wanted to make cars?
Betty Liu: Yeah.
Elon Musk: I’d probably tell them that I think it’s a great idea.
-----
Musk also discussed the possibility of using iOS or Android in the car. Take a look at the full interview below...