Tesla CEO Elon Musk sniped at Silicon Valley neighbor Apple twice throughout a convention name to debate Tesla earnings on Monday.
Though the businesses do not compete straight right this moment, Apple is reportedly constructing an electrical self-driving automobile underneath a challenge code-named Titan, and has attracted a number of engineers and executives away from Tesla. The Titan challenge is reportedly run by Doug Discipline, who returned to Apple in 2018 after 5 years at Tesla.
When requested about Tesla’s provide chain, Musk stated that there is a misperception that Tesla makes use of numerous cobalt, a key materials within the manufacturing of lithium-ion cells utilized in each smartphones and electrical vehicles.
“Apple makes use of I feel virtually 100% cobalt of their batteries and cell telephones and laptops, however Tesla makes use of no cobalt within the iron-phosphate packs, and virtually none within the nickel-based chemistries,” Musk stated. “On on a weighted-average foundation we would use 2% cobalt in comparison with say, Apple’s 100% cobalt. Anyway, so it is simply actually not an element.”
Some cobalt mined in locations just like the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been linked to human rights abuses akin to youngster labor. In 2019, Apple, along with Tesla and different main expertise corporations, was named as defendants in a human rights lawsuit, according to The Guardian.
In a conflict minerals report revealed earlier this yr, Apple stated it publishes an inventory of all battle minerals and cobalt smelters and refiners, and all of Apple’s cobalt suppliers participated in audits in 2020. An Apple consultant did not return a request for remark.
Later within the name, Musk made a crack about Apple’s so-called “walled backyard,” which is called as a result of Apple strictly controls what software program could be put in on the iPhone by means of its App Retailer. Apple’s walled backyard is dealing with scrutiny from lawmakers and different corporations, together with in an antitrust trial that came about earlier this yr after it was sued by Epic Video games over App Retailer charges and insurance policies.
“I feel we do need to emphasize that our objective is to help the arrival of sustainable power,” Musk stated in response to a query about letting opponents use its charger community. “It’s not to create a walled backyard and use that to bludgeon our opponents which is utilized by some corporations.”
Musk then faked a cough and stated, “Apple.”
In the course of the name, Musk stated he seemingly wouldn’t seem on future Tesla earnings calls except he has “one thing actually necessary” that he must say.