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Comment by SkyMarshal | Hacker News Reader

>I'm really curious what Apple's differentiators will be.

There's room for more than one car company like this. If Apple brings high quality, tight fit and finish, elegant design, software focus, vertical integration (including their new M1 processor tech), logistics support (charging station network, maintenance, etc), and "next-level batteries" to the mix, then I'm sure they'll find space in the market.

If Apple can execute with electric cars as they've executed with consumer electronics, then they'll be competing not just with Tesla, but directly with Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, etc.

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The processor tech isn't going to do much for cars. They could get by with something cheaper no doubt. I don't think anyone really cares about clock speed or processor efficiency in a car because you're not really doing anything that last decades' processors couldn't handle (especially with less bloated code bases). Maybe face recognition + key fob presence to authenticate and start the car.

I don't know if Apple's quality is going to translate to cars either unless they poach a bunch of people. Safety features will compromise the quality at some point, but maybe they're good enough to work around it elegantly.

Plus people paid a premium for Apple's quality, but are they willing to do so when that premium is multiple thousands of dollars extra for a car? They could afford low/zero cost financing if they wanted to.

"apples quality" if the car was the quality of my touchbar macbook i'd leave it on the side of the road and walk home

An EV that just works that appeals to the luxury buyer.

Tesla is still far from that. I've yet to meet a tesla owner who's car just "Works" without any issues or fiddling.

GM's & Nissan's EVs fit that bucket. But they are designed as "buget" cars and dont evoke a desire from buyers to be excited about them on a day-to-day basis.

My interactions with Tesla service since acquiring my Model 3 in December 2018:

(1) Install rear spoiler (out of stock when car originally ordered - free service)

(2) Upgrade self-driving computer to version 3 (free service given the car had the FSD option)

(3) Rotate tires

All three were performed at my home, at my convenience, by a tech who just showed up and did his business without needing my attention.

Car and experience have been great - so good that my wife leased a Model 3 in 2019 and will be replacing it with a Model Y when the lease expires.

But lately Apple has been trending towards not including the charger.

Haha, touche. At least customers won't be complaining about the lack of user-replaceable batteries in Apple electric cars.

I know you meant this tongue in cheek but I think one day cars will be wirelessly charged through certain roads.

>logistics support (charging station network, maintenance, etc)

Honestly, if Apple bought out the existing non-Tesla charging networks and dedicated even a sliver of their UX talent to improving the charging experience, they would really push things forward. This is, of course, assuming that buying the charging networks would make it past the anti-trust people.

> even a sliver of their UX talent to improving the charging experience

Would I have to flip my iCar over and plug into the bottom center?

Yes, but don't worry, the charging station will automatically do that for you.

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