Right, but the article's point is that they started working on cars. You are making the point that it would take them a long time to build it.. They have the cash and I don't see why they would be in any rush, if driverless cars are expected on the streets in 2020, or potentially 2023..

As a matter of fact, Apple's last quarterly profit was $18bn, while Tesla's valuation, is $25bn. They could buy a company like Tesla every two quarters..

Furthermore, maybe what they are trying to do is to create some in-house talent, in preparation for future purchases. Perhaps so that they can have their own employees join those of the acquired company..