By all accounts, the Apple Car is still a long way off, but as development progresses, more information is coming in about what is expected to appear. Take, for example, the fact that Apple may manufacture the car's battery in the U.S.

This is according to a DigiTimes report, in which an industry source claims that Apple is "considering an Apple Car manufacturer in the United States."

This is not the first time we have heard this type of rumor. Last month Reuters reported that Apple was in talks with Chinese battery makers CATL and BYD.

However, despite its willingness to work with Chinese companies, Apple reportedly insists that the Apple Car battery be manufactured in the U.S. CATL was reportedly hesitant to agree to these terms, citing political tension between the U.S. and Chinese governments as the reason.

The DigiTimes report provides some background on these conditions and Apple's reasons for insisting on the US-made battery. According to sources, semiconductors and lithium batteries are now considered "strategic goods" by the US government.

Manufacturing key components of electric cars in China may mean that Apple does not want to risk having its battery production disrupted by politics, especially in light of the recent trade war. What about the remaining components of the Apple Car? Given Apple's diverse and global supply chain for the iPhone and other products, it would be natural for Apple Car to take a similar approach.

According to DigiTimes, Taiwan's Foxconn and Advanced Lithium Electrochemistry (Aleees) may develop the battery for the Apple Car. Both companies have plans to establish manufacturing facilities in the U.S. Foxconn already has a good relationship with Apple, as it is involved in the assembly of the iPhone.

There is still much we don't know about the Apple Car, and it is not helped by the standard veil of secrecy that surrounds all Apple products. We do know that the car will be electric, and rumor has it that it may be a fully autonomous vehicle that does not require a human driver.

However, Apple has faced some setbacks in recent months. This is because existing automakers were concerned about Apple's level of control. Apparently they did not want to end up the "Foxconn of the automotive industry"

by ceding all decisions regarding the production of Apple cars to Apple.

However, there are now indications that LG and Canadian auto parts manufacturer Magna were in talks with Apple to make their Apple Car ambitions a reality. Since then we have heard nothing about this, nor do we know if those negotiations were successful.

It is not clear when the Apple Car will appear, but rumors suggest a possible 2024 launch. Apple's desire to manufacture the battery in the U.S. may be optimistic. Especially if the company has to build a new factory from scratch.

We will just have to wait and see what happens. But it is clear that the long road to Apple Car reality is not yet over.