Apple reportedly buys former Chrysler proving grounds for US$125 million

Tech giant Apple may have purchased Chrysler’s former proving ground after years of testing autonomous vehicles at the site.

Apple’s on-again, off-again car program – at one stage nicknamed Project Titan – is said to be back on at full speed, with a constant stream of rumours about the company’s upcoming autonomous electric vehicle surfacing in recent months.

The latest whispers point to the purchase of a 5458-acre property located in Arizona, USA, formerly owned by Chrysler, by the property’s long-time leaseholder.

Since 2017, multiple reports have emerged suggesting Apple was exclusively using the proving ground to test autonomous technology.

It’s understood US real estate tracking firm Vizzda recorded the US$125 million (AU$168 million) sale from a corporation registered in the state of Delaware – a tax haven for large companies, including Apple – as first reported by website AZBigMedia.

It’s believed Chrysler sold the site to a New York-based property development company in 2005 for US$312 million (AU$420 million), though plans for a housing community never eventuated.

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Though a prototype Apple car has yet to be spied, the company has been making plenty of moves behind the scenes.

Earlier this week, officials from Apple were said to be in Tokyo to meet with representatives from Toyota, according to Digitimes Asia. The trip follows a visit to South Korea as Apple looks to lay its supplier groundwork to produce an electric car at scale.

In April 2021, newspaper The Korea Times reported Apple was “very near” to signing an agreement with LG Magna E-Powertrain – a newly-formed joint venture between tech giant LG and the large Canadian automotive company Magna.

While LG is best known for its consumer electronics, it has supplied batteries and motors for electric vehicles built by General Motors and Tesla.

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Magna may not be as well known, but is a major supplier to the world’s top car companies. Its Austrian subsidiary, Magna Steyr, is responsible for manufacturing the BMW Z4 and Toyota Supra, the Jaguar E-Pace and I-Pace, and the Mercedes-Benz G-Class – all under contract.

Magna Steyr is also actively involved in the Sony Vision-S electric concept car.

In June 2021, news outlet Reuters reported Apple was engaged in talks with Chinese battery companies CATL and BYD to produce batteries in North America.

US investment firm Berkshire Hathaway – which is led by billionaire Warren Buffett – is understood to own 25 per cent of BYD, as well as owning more than five per cent of Apple.