Tech

Secret meeting between Apple and Tesla sets off merger rumors

Giuseppe Macri Tech Editor
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Reports about a secret meeting last spring between Apple’s merger chief and the founder of Tesla Motors made headlines Wednesday as speculation of a partnership spread across Wall Street.

Tesla chief executive Elon Musk met with Apple’s acquisitions chief at the Silicon Valley giant’s Cupertino, California home last year, according to a San Francisco Chronicle report — prompting rumors that Apple could be looking to buy the leading electric car manufacturer.

The report stated that a meeting with such high-level personnel means Apple is extremely interested in Tesla.

Wall Street analysts speculate Tesla is one of a number of potential avenues Apple could explore in order to re-ignite its flagging growth. The report cites medical device technology as another field, specifically a company currently developing tech to detect heart attacks.

Other analysts cast doubt over the likelihood of a merger given Tesla’s soaring popularity and market growth. In stark contrast to Apple, Tesla is up by almost 500 percent from last year, and speculators think the talks were more likely about a partnership between the two companies — specifically a U.S. battery plant, which would be the largest in the world, Musk announced last month.

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