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Apple, VW Steer Toward iCar

Car would appeal to young target groups, analysts say

By Wesley Oliver, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 30, 2007 11:37 AM CDT

(Newser) – Apple and Volkswagen are cruising toward a new partnership to develop a car loaded with gizmos from the digital maverick. Steve Jobs met with VW chief Martin Winterkorn in California this week to discuss plans for an “iCar,” the AP reports. Negotiations have just begun, but a VW spokesman says there are “scores of ideas.”

The iCar would appeal especially to young drivers, industry analysts say. Apple and VW already partner on devices that enable drivers to hook up their iPods in their cars. Microsoft plans to unveil new communication and entertainment systems in Ford cars this fall; Sync will allow drivers to listen to digital music players using voice recognition or steering wheel controls.

[Images (5)]

[Videos (2)]

TO GO WITH STIRY by Glenn Chapman, Lifestyle-US-IT-telecom-company... (Getty Images)

The company logo at the Apple store 26 June, 2007 in New York... (Getty Images (by Event))

Martin Winterkorn, CEO of German auto giant Volkswagen met with Apple founder Steve Jobs recently, and are scheduled to meet again. (Getty Images)

Steve Jobs demonstrates the iPhone. Recent meetings with the head of Volkswagen imply that the "iCar" might not be far behind. (Getty Images)

A worker attaches a fender protection to a Volkswagen Golf at the manufacturing line in the Volkswagen factory in Wolfsburg, northern Germany, in this Feb. 15, 2007 file picture. Their similar mission... (Associated Press)

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John Mayer plays along to this Volkswagen Commercial. (candace8 (YouTube))

Apple pokes fun at bloated competitors in this ad featuring John Hodgman. (gizmodo (YouTube))

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Apple, VW Steer Toward iCar