Posted on 08/05/2009 7:57:45 PM PDT by Chode
read this earlier and it was just to sad to post...
sad indeed
Apple in talks with luxury carmaker McLaren: iPhone maker approaches British supercar group about automotive tie-up
Apple has approached McLaren Technology Group, the British supercar engineer and Formula One team owner, about a potential acquisition, in the clearest sign yet that the iPhone maker is seeking to transform the automotive industry.
The California technology group, which has been working on a self-driving electric vehicle for more than two years, is considering a full takeover of McLaren or a strategic investment, according to three people briefed on the negotiations who said talks started several months ago.
A tie-up with McLaren, whose expertise ranges from automotive engineering and on-board computer systems to novel chassis materials such as carbon fibre and aluminium, could accelerate Apples secretive automotive project. Apple and McLaren declined to comment.
The lossmaking automotive group was likely to be valued at between £1bn and £1.5bn, the people said, adding that it was not clear a deal would be done.
That would make it Apples biggest acquisition since the $3bn purchase of Beats Electronics, the audio group founded by Dr Dre and Jimmy Iovine, in 2014.
Earlier this year, Apple invested $1bn in Didi Chuxing, the Chinese ride-hailing company. That deal was Apples largest equity investment to date, as chief executive Tim Cook gradually breaks with the Silicon Valley companys longstanding aversion to large deals.
McLaren produces luxury sports cars that can cost as much as $1m apiece and owns an advanced technologies group, as well as the eponymous Formula One racing team. The owners of McLaren Technology control 80 per cent of McLaren Automotive. It produced 1,654 vehicles last year, generating revenues of £450m, and has pledged to invest £1bn in the next six years on research and development.
https://www.ft.com/content/523422ba-7ffd-11e6-8e50-8ec15fb462f4
Regarding possible Apple-McLaren talks, this from Wiki
“Electronics[edit]
McLaren Electronic Systems is a brand of electronic systems for racing cars created and manufactured by McLaren Applied Technologies. The company has won multiple Queen’s Awards for Enterprise for innovation and international trade.[5] McLaren have supplied the single electronic control unit used in all Formula One cars since 2008,[6] and also supply software, sensors and other components to Formula One teams. MES also supply the powertrain control system used in McLaren’s Formula One race cars.
In addition to Formula One, McLaren also provide the engine control units used in the NASCAR Sprint Cup and IndyCar Series. The two ECU’s share a common base,[7] and McLaren have held the contract for both series since 2012. McLaren Electronic Systems produces the electric motor, transmission and electronics used in the Spark-Renault SRT 01E, the car used in the inaugural Formula E season.[8]”
Seems to me McLaren is a wise company for Apple to acquire, or combine with.
Increasingly vehicles are high technology moving machines. If gasoline, diesel, hybrid, or electric—they have fast moving electronics technology at the center.
Looks like McLaren is a worthy leader, with ECU units for F1 and other series.
thx for posting, i saw that earlier, but... McL says not so
McLaren says it is not in discussions with Apple about investment
A spokesman for luxury carmaker McLaren told CNBC that it “is not in discussion with Apple in respect of any potential investment.”
Earlier on Wednesday, the Financial Times reported that the tech giant had approached McLaren about a potential acquisition. The New York Times, citing two sources familiar with the situation, also reported that the two are discussing a potential investment.
Apple declined to comment to CNBC on the report that it is in talks to buy McLaren.
Apple is also discussing a potential acquisition with electric motorcycle company Lit Motors, according to The New York Times. Both Apple and Lit Motors declined to comment to the newspaper.
$3bn for Beats Electronics and McLaren would be valued between $1.3 and $2 billion................. really?
courtesy of Lockbox, just damn...
http://www.formula1.com/en/latest/headlines/2016/11/ron-dennis-steps-down-from-mclaren-role.html
Ron Dennis steps down from McLaren role
Ron Dennis has been forced to relinquish his position as chairman and chief executive officer of the McLaren Technology Group (MTG), following a meeting of shareholders on Tuesday.
Dennis, who has been part of McLaren since 1980, helping lead the F1 team to 17 world championship titles, was placed on gardening leave until his current contract expires in January. He remains on the board of MTG and a shareholder.
The news follows ongoing disagreement between Dennis and the groups majority shareholders over management style and the future path of the business.
Dennis, whose F1 career started in the 1960s as a mechanic for Cooper, took control of the McLaren team in 1981 and remained team principal until early 2009, when he handed over the reins to Martin Whitmarsh in order to concentrate on the groups other business interests.
During his tenure as team leader, McLaren enjoyed several periods of F1 domination, with Dennis guiding the squad to no less than 10 drivers crowns, with Niki Lauda, Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna, Mika Hakkinen and - most recently - Lewis Hamilton.
In a statement on Denniss departure, McLaren said: Over the past 35 years Rons contribution to the success of McLaren has been colossal. During his tenure the team won 17 world championships and 158 Grands Prix, making him the most successful leader in Formula One history. Like the companys founder, Bruce McLaren, Ron is and will always be one of the true greats of the sport.
Dennis intends to launch a new technology investment fund once his contractual commitments with McLaren expire.
It’s a harsh “bottom line results are the only thing” business. The fact is McLaren has been the best of the backmarkers the past two or three years with a pair of washed up former champions. I’ve always been a Jensen fan (Alonzo not so much, although my boys got his autograph at Indy several years ago). But they just aren’t competitive and something has to give.
i simply cannot understand how Honda is SOOOOOoooo uncompetitive after this long.
from what i can see, that and that alone is the source of their troubles
Much respect for Ron Dennis. A long, most successful career.
OT: Clarkson and Co’s new show is already all over the ‘interwebs’ (Clarkson) for download...
tooo funny...
Dear @BBC_TopGear thank you for sacking @JeremyClarkson His #grandtour show is epicly good.
Eddie Bonelli (@eddie_BONE) November 17, 2016
no German GP... PHOUQ BERNIE!!!
Revised 2017 calendar:
March 26 - Australia
April 9 - China
April 16 - Bahrain
April 30 - Russia
May 14 - Spain
May 28 - Monaco
June 11 - Canada
June 25 - Azerbaijan
July 9 - Austria
July 16 - UK
July 30 - Hungary
August 27 - Belgium
September 3 - Italy
September 17 - Singapore
October 1 - Malaysia
October 8 - Japan
October 22 - USA
October 29 - Mexico
November 12 - Brazil
November 26 - Abu Dhabi
Why no Germany? The Germans just live for F1. Are the socialists broke?
Thanks again for honchoing the F1 threads (I looked forward to each one.).
No Germany but Bahrain gets one because some sheikh gave Bernie a sack full of cash and some young boys for his hotel room.
I like nothing about the Bahrain GP.
Formula 1 was set to visit 21 venues again in 2017, but Hockenheim failed to strike a deal with Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, while the Nürburgring’s financial problems continue.
history means nothing compared to bernie’s greed
that and they’re prolly taxed to death to pay for all the muslime goathumpers now roaming the country
100%
1. I thought Bernie E. was stepping down, away?
2. Azerbaijan can pass muster financially, but Germany cannot?
Something is missing in the logic of this.
100%
Bummer, was hoping for a return of F1 to the Nürburgring next year. But, isn't Bernie "out"?
http://edition.cnn.com/2016/09/21/motorsport/bernie-ecclestone-formula-1/
Formula 1’s new owner Liberty Media has announced Bernie Ecclestone will stay on as CEO for three years.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.