Both Google and Apple have a presence in the automobile business right now with Android Auto and CarPlay, but the companies are also expected to make a bigger splash in that market in the future. Google has its self-driving car project that’s widely known, and Apple has its own electric car effort that’s unofficial but oft-rumored. Today rumors surrounding the Apple Car continue with a report about the project’s lead.
Sources speaking to the Wall Street Journal say that Steve Zadesky, the head of Apple’s car project, is leaving the company. Zadesky has been with Apple for 16 years and has spent time working on the iPad and iPhone in the past. One tipster says that Zadesky has decided to leave Apple for personal reasons. However, it’s not known exactly when he’ll make his exit from Apple.
The Apple Car project is reportedly codenamed “Titan,” and it’s said to have been in the works since 2014. In September, the team working on Titan was allegedly around 600 people, and Zadesky is said to have been told to make it even larger. Apple is said to be aiming to release its electric car in 2019.
Losing the head of a project is a big deal, but that’s especially true in this case given Zadesky’s history. Not only has he been with Apple for 16 years, but before he joined Apple, he spent time as an engineer at Ford. That said, reports have suggested that Apple has already hired several other automobile industry veterans, and so the company will likely have a replacement for Zadesky ready when he does end up leaving Apple.
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