Could BMW, Apple Revive Courtship Talks?

BMW AG and Apple Inc. may launch discussions about collaborating on highly connected electric vehicles, Reuters suggests.

Each company admires the other's approach to product innovation, design and content, one senior BMW source tells the news service. Last year Apple executives met with BMW board members to discuss the company's radical i3 electric car and see how BMW produces it in Leipzig.

BMW, meanwhile, has been signaling the importance to its sustainability of electrified powertrains and software development. "We need to get away from the idea that it will be either us or them." Peter Schwarzenbauer, who oversees BMW's digital services, told Reuters earlier this year. "We cannot offer clients the perfect experience without help from one of these technology companies."

Reuters' sources say BMW has no interest in revealing details about its core know-how, since Apple apparently is exploring the possibility of building its own EV. But the carmaker signaled during the visit by Apple executives a willingness to license components, according to a report last week by Germany's Manager Magazin.