Mercedes-Benz chairman isn’t losing any sleep over Apple Car rumors
- feb
- 24
Dieter Zetsche, the Chairman of the Board of Daimler AG and the head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, doesn't seem to be concerned about the recent rumors that Apple may be developing its own automobile. In a recent interview, he is quoted as saying, ""If there were a rumour that Mercedes or Daimler planned to start building smartphones then they (Apple) would not be sleepless at night. And the same applies to me."
Zetsche was interviewed by Motoring.com.au and while he is "full of respect for Apple", he doesn't feel the team at Cupertino needs to be entering the automobile business. He stated:
"I don't find any rationale (for Apple to build a car)," he said. "Why (Apple) with this kind of margin would now go into this business? I think investors will hate it because they don't like conglomerates, they want focussed management on what they understand.
"Perhaps some neighbouring fields but not somewhere different. The fact you can listen to iTunes in a car doesn't make it in itself consistent.
"I don't know their strategy and I do not know what they are doing, but I would be very surprised if that proved to be right."
Zetsche's comments on Apple's rumored plans were echoed earlier this month by former General Motors CEO Dan Akerson who said, "I would be highly suspect of the long-term prospect of getting into a low-margin, heavy-manufacturing" business like making cars.
Source: Motoring.com.au; via 9to5Mac
