Apple committed to producing an electric car by 2019
Last month, several reports surfaced that claimed Apple was already testing its own electric car.
For example, The Guardian claimed it had obtained internal correspondence that confirmed Apple's electric car efforts, dubbed "Project Titan," are further along than many had thought.
And Apple Insider claimed the company has been recruiting Tesla employees, who would have "a big impact" on vehicle development. "Apple is thought to have over 1,000 employees on Project Titan, many poached from Tesla," Apple Insider said.
The Journal stated that after more than a year investigating the feasibility of an Apple-branded car, the company has now committed to the project. Apple has also met with two groups of government officials in California.
While Apple Insider set the employee count for Project Titan at 1,000, the Journal put that number at a more modest 600 workers, according to "people familiar with the matter."
Most accounts agree that Apple has hired experts in autonomous car technology, but assume that the company's first car isn't likely to be fully driverless.
"That capability is part of the product's long-term plans, the people familiar with the matter said," the Journal said.