Apple working on something to ‘give Tesla a run for its money’

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tesla model s interior

First it was reported that Apple and Tesla are in an intense bidding war for each other’s talent, and now an anonymous Apple employee has come out of the woodwork to talk smack.

Tesla engineers are apparently “jumping ship” to join Apple, according to an email Business Insider received from an Apple employee who requested anonymity. “Apple’s latest project is too exciting to pass up… I think it will change the landscape and give Tesla a run for its money.”

Business Insider says it verified the authenticity of the source.

The idea that Tesla talent is “jumping ship” for Apple goes against a recent Bloomberg report, which said Apple has had little luck luring Tesla employees. Apple has about 50 ex-Tesla engineers on its payroll, while Tesla has managed to hire around 150 people away from Apple.

Engineering talent in the Valley is scarce, and both companies likely want each other’s people for a multitude of reasons. The poaching battle doesn’t necessarily mean that Apple is trying to step on Tesla’s turf.

But what would it mean for Apple to give Tesla a “run for its money?” Tesla makes electric cars. We know that Steve Jobs had dreams of an iCar, but the idea that Apple is working on one right now seems far fetched.

Then there’s the curious sightings of Apple-leased cars roaming the streets with what looks like advanced mapping tools. What does it all mean? Probably Apple Maps and/or CarPlay improvements, but for now there’s plenty of room to guess.

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