Report: Nissan shot down Apple deal to avoid becoming Foxconn of cars

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A potential partnership between Apple and Nissan foundered due to disagreements over branding, the Financial Times reported on Sunday. Apple wanted Nissan to build Apple-branded cars, while Nissan preferred to keep its own brand on the vehicles.

In recent months, Apple has reportedly been looking for a partner to build an Apple-branded electric car. Last week, Bloomberg reported that negotiations with Kia (and its parent company, Hyundai) had ended without a deal. The Financial Times says that Apple has also "sounded out" BMW as a potential partner.

Apple reportedly held preliminary talks with Nissan, though the talks didn't reach the most senior levels at either company:

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