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Apple Eyed BMW i3 As A Design For Electric Car: Report

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Apple  explored a collaboration with BMW and has taken a serious look at the German car maker's i3 as a design, according to a recent report in the German media.

Apple was "interested" in the "body" of the BMW i3 electric vehicle, Manager magazine reported in its latest issue dated July 24.  While reports that Apple is pursuing an electric car have been circulating for months, this appears to be the first time that BMW has come up as a possible template for an Apple car design.

BMW and Apple have been cooperating for years, as Green Car Reports pointed out.  BMW was the first to add iPod recognition in its cars more than 10 years ago. "The BMW i3 battery-electric car is not only highly advanced technologically -- with its carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic body shell -- but the most energy efficient vehicle sold in the U.S. today," Green Car Reports said.

The first negotiations were "in late autumn" of 2014 but were "broken off," according to the German media report, adding that the two companies agreed to keep talking.  Apple CEO Tim Cook and other senior Apple executives visited the i3 production facilities in Leipzig, the magazine said.

"BMW has regular talks with many companies in the telecommunications and IT industry, including Apple, on vehicle connectivity topics (BMW Connected Drive). Vehicle development and production are not the subject of these talks," a BMW spokesperson said in response to an email query.

Apple did not respond to a request for comment.  To date, Apple has not commented publicly on plans to make a car.