Apple Snaps Up Former Ford Exec to Power Self-Driving EV Car Initiative

Apple’s long-running goal of developing a car is back in the spotlight with the hire of former Ford executive Desi Ujkashevic who will lead efforts to launch a self-driving electric vehicle as early as 2025, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday (May 4), citing unnamed sources with insider information.

At Ford, Ujkashevic headed up teams working on safety efforts and vehicle engineering, according to sources, per the news outlet. Ujkashevic was with Ford since 1991 and served most recently as global director of automotive safety engineering. Prior to that role, she assisted with the oversight of the engineering of interiors, exteriors, chassis and electrical components.

Over the years, Apple had an on-again, off-again relationship with car development and replaced its management team for that unit more than once. Doug Field, an executive who left for Ford last year, was in charge of the project with Apple for three years. He also spent several years with Tesla and previously worked for Apple before Tesla in hardware engineering and product design for five years.

See also: ​​Apple Aims At Debuting Car In 2024

Following Ford’s departure, the iPhone maker put its Apple Watch and health software head Kevin Lynch in charge of the company’s car project.

The next electric car would compete with Tesla and Lucid, already in the sector, as well as automakers like Ford concentrating on advancing the technology. For its part, Apple also has its sights set on integrating a self-driving aspect, something being worked on by multiple technology firms.

Read more: Porsche, Apple Talking About Potential Partnerships

Sports car maker Porsche and tech giant Apple Inc. were in talks last year to move beyond installing Apple Play and embarking on further collaborations. The projects are not solidified, PYMNTS reported in March.

Apple has been working on its car project since roughly 2015, per the report, and is possibly seeking to develop an autonomous vehicle without the expected steering wheel and pedals. Safety is also a paramount concern and the tech firm is aiming to develop something stronger than what is currently available from Tesla and Alphabet’s Waymo.

Related: Autonomous Vehicle Advocates Press White House for Coordinated, National Rules