<p>Japanese automaker Nissan said on Monday that it is not in talks with Apple to develop self-driving cars, a week after Hyundai also denied reports it was discussing the top-secret project with the US tech giant.</p>.<p>Apple's Project Titan is devoted to electric autonomous vehicles and has been in the works for several years -- but details of the venture have been kept under wraps by the notoriously tight-lipped company.</p>.<p>Nissan's denial came after the Financial Times reported that the iPhone maker had approached it in recent months about a tie-up related to the project, which did not go ahead.</p>.<p>"We are not in talks with Apple. However, Nissan is always open to exploring collaborations and partnerships to accelerate industry transformation," the Japanese firm said.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/business/business-news/nissan-stays-in-red-ink-amid-pandemic-japan-criminal-trial-949316.html">Nissan stays in red ink amid pandemic, Japan criminal trial</a></strong></p>.<p>A source close to Nissan told AFP that the company "doesn't need Apple to sell" its cars.</p>.<p>"When you make a product under the Apple brand, you give your soul -- and your profit margins -- to Apple," the source said on condition of anonymity.</p>.<p>"We are not interested in giving Apple the best that we offer. This should be under the Nissan brand."</p>.<p>The denial followed a similar statement from South Korea's Hyundai and its affiliate Kia last week after reports said Apple had wanted to discuss a potential partnership to develop electric vehicles and batteries.</p>.<p>Apple first revealed its self-driving tech aspirations in 2016 and Chief Executive Tim Cook later said he saw autonomous driving systems as a "core technology" for the future.</p>.<p>Nissan has been a pioneer in electric vehicles since its Leaf model was released over a decade ago.</p>.<p>But the struggling firm -- still trying to recover from the devastating reputational damage caused by the sudden departure of now fugitive tycoon Carlos Ghosn -- desperately needs a new hit.</p>.<p>In July, Nissan unveiled the Ariya, a new 100 per cent electric crossover model that it said would open a "new era" in the firm's fortunes.</p>.<p>Monday's statement caused its shares to fall by 2.8 per cent to 610 yen.</p>
<p>Japanese automaker Nissan said on Monday that it is not in talks with Apple to develop self-driving cars, a week after Hyundai also denied reports it was discussing the top-secret project with the US tech giant.</p>.<p>Apple's Project Titan is devoted to electric autonomous vehicles and has been in the works for several years -- but details of the venture have been kept under wraps by the notoriously tight-lipped company.</p>.<p>Nissan's denial came after the Financial Times reported that the iPhone maker had approached it in recent months about a tie-up related to the project, which did not go ahead.</p>.<p>"We are not in talks with Apple. However, Nissan is always open to exploring collaborations and partnerships to accelerate industry transformation," the Japanese firm said.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/business/business-news/nissan-stays-in-red-ink-amid-pandemic-japan-criminal-trial-949316.html">Nissan stays in red ink amid pandemic, Japan criminal trial</a></strong></p>.<p>A source close to Nissan told AFP that the company "doesn't need Apple to sell" its cars.</p>.<p>"When you make a product under the Apple brand, you give your soul -- and your profit margins -- to Apple," the source said on condition of anonymity.</p>.<p>"We are not interested in giving Apple the best that we offer. This should be under the Nissan brand."</p>.<p>The denial followed a similar statement from South Korea's Hyundai and its affiliate Kia last week after reports said Apple had wanted to discuss a potential partnership to develop electric vehicles and batteries.</p>.<p>Apple first revealed its self-driving tech aspirations in 2016 and Chief Executive Tim Cook later said he saw autonomous driving systems as a "core technology" for the future.</p>.<p>Nissan has been a pioneer in electric vehicles since its Leaf model was released over a decade ago.</p>.<p>But the struggling firm -- still trying to recover from the devastating reputational damage caused by the sudden departure of now fugitive tycoon Carlos Ghosn -- desperately needs a new hit.</p>.<p>In July, Nissan unveiled the Ariya, a new 100 per cent electric crossover model that it said would open a "new era" in the firm's fortunes.</p>.<p>Monday's statement caused its shares to fall by 2.8 per cent to 610 yen.</p>