Hyundai Motor, Kia say they are not in talks with Apple on autonomous car development

Hyundai and Kia have been discussing with multiple companies on self-driving electric car development, but haven't made any decision yet, they said in regulatory filings.

Hyundai, Kia Say Not in Car Development Talks With Apple (REUTERS)

South Korea's Hyundai Motor Co and Kia Corp said on Monday they are not in talks with Apple Inc on developing autonomous vehicles, sending their shares tumbling.

Shares of Hyundai and Kia were trading down 6.8% and 13.6% respectively as of 1216 GMT versus the broader market KOSPI's 0.6% drop.

In early January, Korea Economic Daily TV reported Apple and Hyundai were in discussions to develop self-driving electric vehicles by 2027 and develop batteries at U.S. factories operated by either Hyundai or its affiliate Kia Corp.

So far this year, Hyundai has advanced 30%, while Kia has rallied 63% on reports they may build Apple car. Apple has never acknowledged talks with the automaker about building vehicles.

Reuters reported in December that Apple was moving forward with autonomous car technology and aimed to produce a passenger vehicle that could include its own breakthrough battery technology as early as 2024.