Apple and Volkswagen plan to develop iCar?

The latest Apple rumour swirling through the Web centres on talks between Apple and Volkswagen, two companies reportedly planning to co-create a futuristic iCar. It shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone following Apple’s commitment to auto-tech. Digital Journal — Apple is already dominating your computer, media player, and cellphone. What’s next? Filling your driveway with an Apple-branded car, according to the German press. Apple CEO Steve Jobs and Volkswagen chief Martin Winterkorn are supposedly in discussion to build a series of vehicles, reports German magazine Capital (written in German, translate here). The two industry giants met in California recently, and while the talks are in their early stages, Apple and Volkswagen are reportedly planning to cooperate on developing VW compact cars that will include Apple products. Capital called this vehicle “iCar” although Apple executives aren’t revealing anything. Tom Neumyar, senior manager for iPod and iTunes at Apple, told CNET:

We wouldn't comment on rumors and speculation.

No details about the concept car have been released. An Apple venture into vehicle manufacturing isn’t unusual for the California computer company. As DailyTech wrote:

Apple currently works with many automakers, including VW, to provide iPod connections as options for new vehicles. Cars with such connections can automatically interface with iPods to play the stored music through the vehicle’s interface and sound system.

Apple is also dabbling with Mercedez-Benz to create a dashboard navigational system for launch in 2009, according to a rumour reported on AppleInsider. What’s next, iBike?