If the reports are true, the Apple Car will speak German, too.

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Apple has a secret German research and development arm for the long-rumored Apple Car, according to a report filed Monday morning by German publication Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.

Citing sources “familiar with the matter,” the publication the team consists of 15 to 20 "progressive thinkers” that include “engineering, software, hardware and sales.”

Intriguingly, the team is composed of young car-industry experts who felt “held back” by their previous employers. If that doesn't sound like a bunch of Millennials, I don't know what does.

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As for the car itself, it's said to be dubbed the “iCar” and will hit the market in 2019 or 2020 (dates that gel with previous reports), and could be available as either part of a car-sharing or a direct-sales program.

What's perhaps most intriguing is that the report says the so-called iCar will be built in Germany with the help of Magna, an automotive parts supplier.

Based upon this report one of two things is is clear: Apple is indeed building a car, or there's now an international cohort of people willing to pretend to be in on the deal. I'm hoping it's the former.

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TopicsAppleCars