Chinese electric car manufacturer BYD produces more and more iPads for Apple
China's largest electric car manufacturer "BYD" is now estimated to produce around one in three iPads.
(Image: Sebastian Trepesch)
BYD builds electric cars – and more and more iPads: according to a report, around 100,000 BYD employees and 10,000 engineers are now specifically responsible for the "fruit chain", as Apple's huge local supply chain is known. A good 30 percent of all Apple tablets are assembled by a BYD subsidiary, notes the Wall Street Journal, citing industry estimates. Although the Chinese company is not involved in iPhone production, it does supply important parts such as the titanium housing frame for the Pro series of smartphones.
E-cars as "smartphones on wheels"
Managers do not see this as a contradiction; the mass production of electric cars and consumer electronics is based on the same expertise. With their core components of battery, chips and software, e-vehicles are ultimately "smartphones on wheels", writes the Wall Street Journal. The blending of these business areas has long been part of everyday life in China.
Apple also worked and researched on its own autonomous electric car for around 10 years, but the huge project was reportedly recently shelved. Together with BYD, Apple allegedly also developed new battery technology, including improved lithium iron phosphate cells, which were ultimately intended for an Apple Car.
BYD has long been in Apple's supply chain
BYD is mainly known in Europe as a car brand, not least through its sponsorship of the European Football Championship. The conglomerate has also long been active as a contract manufacturer and has been part of Apple's supply chain for around 15 years. In addition to Apple, BYD's customer base also includes smartphone competitors such as Xiaomi, Huawei and Samsung, according to the report. BYD also appears to have massively expanded its Apple business by purchasing two Chinese production plants from the US electronics manufacturer Jabil Circuit, which were already part of Apple's supply chain.
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