In the grand narrative of the tech giant Apple, its car project carried out in secret is undoubtedly one of the most talked about chapters in recent years. Recently, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman broke the news that Apple has cooperated with BYD Co., Ltd. for many years to jointly develop long-range battery technology, which was originally part of Apple's now-canceled car project. Although this collaboration did not translate into the Apple car, it left a deep mark on the field of battery technology. The partnership cost tens of billions of dollars, and although it ended up being a regrettable project for Apple, it also brought many lessons to ponder.
The starting point and vision of the collaboration
As early as 2017, Apple and BYD joined forces to start a research and development project to design a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery system. Apple's goal is to develop products that go beyond mainstream EV battery technology in the market, improve range, and ensure greater safety. The partnership marks Apple's ambition to enter the electric vehicle market, with the intention of creating a revolutionary product like the iPhone in the field of new energy vehicles. Apple invests nearly $1 billion a year into the project and sees it internally as a potential "next big thing" in the future. However, despite high expectations, the project was announced to be canceled in February 2024, which also raised questions about Apple's ambitions in the automotive sector.
Pictured: Apple is rumored to have secretly teamed up with BYD to develop battery technology
Technological breakthroughs and challenges
In this cooperation, Apple and BYD each played an important role. Apple has provided expertise in battery pack design and thermal management, while BYD has leveraged its strengths in LFP battery manufacturing to drive the technology to the ground. In particular, BYD's blade battery system has become a highlight of the cooperation. According to BYD, the concept of the blade battery was first independently developed by its in-house engineers and has relevant intellectual property rights and patents. This cooperation not only helped BYD make a breakthrough in electric vehicle battery technology, but also provided a reference for the standardization and innovation of the global new energy industry.
However, despite the technological breakthroughs between the two parties, the development process was not all smooth sailing. Although LFP batteries have advantages in cost and safety, they still have certain limitations in energy density compared to other battery technologies. This has caused Apple to encounter a major bottleneck in its quest for the ideal range of electric vehicles. In addition, the differences between Apple and BYD on the technical route are also gradually emerging. BYD's focus on practicality, while Apple's desire to lead the market with high-end design and technology also poses challenges for the collaboration.
The end of the automotive project and the legacy of technology
Although Apple ultimately chose to abandon the car project, its deep commitment to battery technology still leaves a valuable legacy. The project's technology is not limited to the automotive sector, but Apple has also used this experience to drive the development of other innovative products. For example, cutting-edge products such as the Vision Pro headset and the Neural Engine AI processor have benefited from the results of this technological exploration. In addition, Apple has also drawn on the experience of automotive projects in the exploration of robotics technology, showing the company's ability to integrate multi-field application technologies across borders.
However, Apple's cancellation of the car project was seen as a "rare high-profile failure", especially in the context of the long-awaited Apple car, and the news undoubtedly brought a lot of negative effects to the company. Nevertheless, Apple's strategic transformation of choosing to focus on consumer electronics and continuing to optimize its existing product line shows its ability to adapt quickly in the face of failure. For Apple, the car dream has been put on hold for the time being, but the advancement of its battery technology remains an important cornerstone of the company's future innovation.
Market reaction and implications for the future
Apple's failed partnership with BYD offers valuable lessons for the tech industry. First, Apple, one of the world's most innovative companies, can't guarantee success in every bold attempt. This cooperation also shows that the huge investment in technology research and development may not be directly translated into market products, but it can provide technical support and experience accumulation for future development. Through this decade of exploration, Apple has made significant advances in key areas such as battery technology, thermal management, and energy efficiency improvements, which are likely to be used in future consumer electronics and electric vehicles.
Secondly, the increasingly fierce competition in the electric vehicle market, high costs, and rising technical thresholds have made companies like Apple with deep financial resources and technology accumulation have to re-examine their strategic layout. Despite its extensive brand influence and resources, Apple also realized that it would not be able to create a successful automotive product in the short term on its own in the face of a complex supply chain and high R&D costs. Therefore, abandoning the car project may be a rational choice for Apple to reallocate resources for long-term development and resource redistribution.
Epilogue
Apple's ten-year partnership with BYD, although it ultimately failed to lead to the advent of the Apple Car, has left a valuable legacy in the field of battery technology. This journey illustrates the challenges and uncertainties that tech giants face in their pursuit of innovation. Although the cooperation was unsuccessful, its technology and experience laid a solid foundation for future innovation. This event reminds us that even industry leaders must always face the possibility of failure. However, it is these bold attempts and efforts to constantly push the boundaries of technology that drive the industry forward and bring new possibilities for the future.
The story of Apple and BYD may be just an unfinished chapter, and we may see more chapters about battery technology and the automotive revolution continue to be written in the future.
