I was going to give this post a "thumbs up" until I read the second half. I hope Apple doesn't get a stake in Tesla because then:
- Apple would demand a larger radius on the corners of the center screen of the Model 3. For the next two years, all we would hear about was how beautifully curved the corners of the center screen were.
- We would never get the ability to create a route on the GPS using multiple waypoints. Too complicated.
- Apple would insist on removing the software limitation on charging the battery cells to 100%. We would need to go in for battery replacements every 2-4 years depending upon usage habits. More profit and a shorter upgrade cycle.
- The base Model 3 would be raised to $55,000 and the Performance Model 3 would be $110,000.
- Apple would insist on hiring a Chinese contract manufacturer to make all Teslas because this would increase profit margins.
- Apple would require other EV makers to sign royalty-bearing patent licenses under threat of a lawsuit.
- Apple would try to avoid as much US tax as possible using elaborate schemes involving the Cayman Islands, etc. They would cite this as a good example of innovation when investors asked them why they were not innovating anymore.
-If Consumer Reports identified a braking anomaly that caused longer than ideal stopping distances, rather than fix the issue in one week by releasing an Over-the-Air Software Update, Apple would blame the driver for "pressing on the brake pedal wrong".
- The voice recognition would be migrated to Siri.
- A Tesla HPWC would cost $2000 and the UMC would be $899.
-Apple would insist a Tesla could only be plugged into a Tesla charger. Bye bye J1772 adapter compatibility.
- Apple would equip all Teslas with special wheels that required special Tesla branded tires. No more Michelin or Continental tires, no Pirelli or Nokian tires, they represent lost profit potential and don't create a powerful "ecosystem".
- Only a Tesla baby seat would work properly with the seat anchors. It would cost $1500.
- They would crow about the valuable "Tesla" ecosystem they had created.
No thank you!