Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives has expressed confidence that an Apple Car is on the horizon and predicts its potential launch by 2026.
Will the Cupertino giant confirm it soon or not after several rumors that appeared nearly a decade ago?
Analyst Claims Apple Car's Debut is Imminent
Despite Apple's silence on the matter, the company's actions, including patent applications related to automotive technology and its association with a self-driving test facility in Arizona, strongly suggest its involvement in the development of a car.
Staff changes and discussions with potential car partners have further fueled speculation.
Ives, who previously stated that it was a matter of "when, not if" Apple would enter the electric vehicle market, told CNBC that the launch of the Apple Car launch is imminent.
'Dating Game' Has Started For Apple
Going back to the "when, not if" a statement from Ives, the analyst has described Apple's discussions with potential car partners, such as Hyundai and Nissan, as a "dating game," per Apple Insider.
To support his claim, he predicted an 85% chance of Apple announcing a strategic car partnership within the next three to six months. While that timeline did not materialize, Ives now predicts a launch by 2026, aligning with earlier reports by Ming-Chi Kuo that hinted at a delayed 2025 launch.
Related Article: MacPrime's Investigation Reveals Apple's Secretive Zurich Vision Lab Powering Apple Car, AR Headset, Siri Future
Apple Car Under Testing in Arizona?
In another story by Phone Arena, a report which looks like a conspiracy story appears to be all about the Apple Car.
While news about UFOs and other mysterious objects in the sky were already featured on television, a new sighting in Arizona could mean that Apple is testing its EVs out there.
Some sources pointed out that the simple-looking white car is actually a prototype of the Apple car.
While it's still uncertain if this is a prototype of the smart car, it's also possible that Apple has a secret testing facility for its upcoming products.'
Could Apple be Already Working on Apple Car For a Long Time?
While the iPhone maker remains mum amid rumors about its EV, reports indicate that Apple has been working on its car project for several years, potentially starting as early as 2014. This was even before the debut of the first-ever Apple Watch model in the market.
If this is real, the tech giant might have already spent resources and time on the development of the Apple Car. Keeping it a secret for a decade is worth admiring for a company that regularly releases new products every year.
There are still more interesting rumors about it, but the majority of them did not come to fruition like the 2019 report from Tech Times which said that the Apple Car would hit the streets in 2019.
Read Also: Apple Car Self-Driving Program Increases Drivers: How About the Vehicle Numbers?
