You can read the entire blog for the big picture, but here's the gist of what he's proposing: Apple should start its own automotive manufacturing plant. Or spend US$2 billion to buy Aptera (making it the Apple-Tera?), then spend $3 billion in research and development and production facility. This outlay wouldn't come close to depleting Apple's financial resources.

So why Aptera?

"Aptera, to me, has the most innovative design with the most unique approach to automobiles," Smith writes. "They have a production model ready to go now that will be able to make a 1200 mile trip on one 10 gallon tank of gas."

[url=http://www.aptera.com]Aptera[/url], founded by Steve Fambro give years, ago is dedicated to building a passenger vehicle "that is safe, comfortable, and more fuel-efficient than anything ever produced." The result is the Aptera Typ-1 (shown), a prototype that purportedly gets 230 miles per gallon -- and looks really cool.

The Aptera vehicle was designed from the ground up as an electric vehicle, and later as an extended range electric vehicle. It has advanced suspension and drivetrain components, and integrates a strong yet lightweight composite shell.
 
Smith says that Apple could revolutionize the car industry by "utilizing their extensive plastics research, their awesome design prowess, and their innovative approach to simplicity and user interface." "I'm aware that Apple is a computer and technology company - not an automobile manufacturer," Smith notes. "But ... Apple wasn't an audio equipment manufacturer, not a music retailer, and not a cellphone company either."

I agree that Apple could certainly revolutionize the automotive industry. And I think that Aptera would be a perfect fit. However, I don't think that Apple will be introducing an iCar anytime soon.

For one thing, the company already has three strong product lines -- the Mac, the iPhone and the iPod -- that needs its full attention. Plus, Jobs & Company still have work to do to turn the Apple TV into the fourth major product category it has the potential to be. All of these product lines have, I'm sure, new and groundbreaking developments in the pipeline. In fact, with the iPhone 3G out the door, I'm hoping we'll see some revolutionary Macs rolled out before year's end.

The company doesn't need to stretch its resources so thin that quality suffers (though some folks would say it's already done that). Before Apple expands into any other area (cars or otherwise) it will need to hire more of the best and brightest in the industry to beef up its work force.

It would certainly be interesting if Apple invested in a company such as Aptera, with the company's unparalleled technology and design teams offering suggestions and input. And if any industry would use a good shake-up, it's the automotive world.

That said, I just can't see Apple entering this market. But, Philip Smith, I like the way you think.

"Macsimum News" is a proud supporter of [url=http://planetgumbo.org/]Planet Gumbo[/url], which feeds the hungry. We urge you to help them in their efforts.

Macsimum News has a presence on Facebook. Why not sign up? Log in to [url=http://www.facebook.com/home.php]Facebook[/url], go to Groups and type in Macsimum News to get there from here.