Apple Reportedly Eyeing McLaren, Others For Technology

Will Apple bite into the automotive sector with an acquisition or two?

Rumors swirled that Apple has been considering either a full takeover or other kind of tie-up with the British manufacturer, Financial Times reported Wednesday citing its sources who have apparently been briefed on the talks when they started some months ago.

Yet the news was muted by denials from the supercar maker. Instead, the California-based tech giant is said to be eyeing McLaren’s technology and experience with aluminum and carbon fiber for vehicle manufacturer. McLaren Applied Technologies, separate from the road car business, may have the solutions Apple is looking for as it eyes expertise to add to its long-rumored car project.

This news comes mere days after reports from The New York Times and other publications that indicated Apple laid off dozens of employees in its car division and was hitting the reset button on the whole project.

McLaren is reportedly worth somewhere between £1-1.5 billion ($1.3-1.95 billion), according to FT‘s sources familiar with the matter.

The story has been developing all of Wednesday and we’ll definitely keep an eye out for further developments.

UPDATE: Folks at Jalopnik and elsewhere got in touch with a McLaren official who denied any discussion of investment between the two companies, and even if Apple were courting one of McLaren’s minority investors, it would not entail a “takeover.”

Meanwhile, The New York Times reported Wednesday Apple has also been courting San Francisco-based Lit Motors, which has made a self-balancing electric motorcycle, about a takeover.