McLaren have denied any talks of a sale or investment with Apple Computer are true.
McLaren have denied any talks of a sale or investment with Apple Computer are true.
SAN FRANCISCO (Diya TV) — After reports surfaced Wednesday morning that Apple Computer were preparing to acquire the British luxury automaker, McLaren issued a rebuttal to the claims Thursday.
The Financial Times first reported the matter Wednesday, writing that Apple had approached McLaren over a potential takeover or strategic investment. The report cited three sources within the Surrey-based organization.
McLaren has officially denied that anything is happening.
“There’s no takeover, no strategic investment,” a McLaren spokesperson told Business Insider. “It’s completely untrue.”
This does not immediately dismiss that Apple hasn’t considered acquiring the company in the past and can’t guarantee they won’t consider it in the future.
“The nature of our business means we regularly have conversations with all sorts of parties, but those conversations remain confidential,” A different McLaren spokesperson told the New York Times. “We’re not in a position to confirm or deny any previous conversation.”
A deal could give Apple access to key automotive technology amid reports that it is working on a self-driving car.
The owners of McLaren Technology Group control 80 percent of McLaren Automotive. The automotive division produced 1,654 vehicles last year, generating revenues of 450 million pounds, and has pledged to invest another one billion pounds in the next six years on research and development.
McLaren are considered industry leaders in the field of automotive technology, and have been widely regarded for revolutionizing on-board computer systems and integrating the usage of carbon-fiber in the chassis of their cars.
The company is currently believed to be valued at between one billion and 1.5 billion pounds, according to the Times‘report.
The McLaren Formula One team is partnered by Honda, who provide the power units. The team is the second most successful after Ferrari in terms of race wins and titles but has not won a grand prix since 2012.
Apple have been developing a self-driving electric vehicle nicknamed “Project Titan,” and earlier this year invested nearly one billion dollars into China-based Didi Chuxing, a ride-hailing company.
