[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, revealed an anecdote that he once tried to sell Tesla to Apple but was rejected. This is interpreted as an attempt to dispel concerns over reports that Apple is preparing to launch an electric autonomous vehicle in 2024.
On the 22nd (local time), Musk responded to a tweet mentioning Apple's electric vehicle launch preparations, stating, "During the dark period when we were preparing to launch the Model 3, I tried to meet with Apple CEO Tim Cook to explore the possibility of selling Tesla to Apple, but Cook refused." After the Model 3 unveiling, Tesla was preparing for mass production and suffered from severe financial difficulties. Musk recently confessed that there was even a risk of bankruptcy.
Musk did not specify the exact time when he tried to sell to Apple, but according to local media such as Business Insider, it is estimated to be around 2016-2017.
Musk also emphasized that Tesla's stock price at that time was only about one-tenth of its current value. This is interpreted as an attempt to highlight the difference between the situation at the time of the attempted sale and the current status of Apple and Tesla. The amount Musk proposed to Apple at the time of the sale was reportedly about $60 billion (approximately 66 trillion KRW).
Musk's Twitter post was made following a report on the 21st that Apple will produce autonomous vehicles equipped with self-designed electric car batteries by 2024. Regarding reports that Apple is preparing next-generation lithium iron phosphate (LFP) monocyte batteries, Musk said, "If true, that’s strange," and claimed, "Monocyte-type batteries are electrically impossible." Musk also added, "Tesla is already producing lithium iron phosphate batteries at the Shanghai Gigafactory and using them in mid-sized vehicles."
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported, "Musk raised doubts about whether Apple is serious about launching its own electric vehicle."
Meanwhile, local U.S. media including WSJ requested Apple's position on this matter, but Apple is known to have not issued any particular response.
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