Apple Kills E-Motorcycle Startup After Poaching Top Engineers

Apple is certainly not messing around when it comes to growing its market share in the automobile market.

In a bid to build and produce its own car, the iPhone maker has forced a promising automotive startup to shutter its operations after it has aggressively recruited its top engineering talent. Citing sources close to the situation, Reuters reported that Mission Motors, who has produced sleek electric bikes that drew comparisons to Tesla’s own electric vehicles, closed shop in May this year.

It has been believed that Apple is working on an electric automobile project following its recruitment of several auto experts, mostly talent from industry leaders like Mercedez Benz and Ford. Although Apple has not openly acknowledged the project, the company’s efforts have forced Mission Motors to finally shut its doors by last fall, sources have said.

Apple Insider said that Mission Motors’ remaining assets, which are now owned by Infield Capital, are being sold off. The electric motorcycle Mission intends to deliver to customers have never been shipped, the site added.