Long term however I believe cars will just be a shared network of autonomous vehicles for moving people and things. In other words a shared commodity with cheap rental prices versus ownership. That doesn't seem like a market for Apple. But hey, if they're investing in electric vehicles then that's better for everyone.
1. Entered the emerging electric vehicle space with a "good enough" product that people will buy it.
2. Continuously innovate with new models. Since these are large pieces of machinery, this appears to be the money Tesla is leaving on the table by doing all their cars in-house.
(maybe) 3. Autonomy. Nobody knows what this will come to mean, and lawmakers are being wary. Add to that Tesla's direct-to-consumer model stirring up the lawmakers, and autonomy may get killed by the lawyers (non-zero risk, not trying to predict the future with any certainty).
If Tesla can create automation in a short amount of time, I have no doubt that a massive computer company filled with smart software engineers and a maps group can do it.
I doubt it.
The majority of drivers on the road are your typical 9-5 commuters. For them it will still be more convenient (no need to wait for another car) and cheaper to just buy a car and there is still something intrinsic to human nature about "owning" something. People leave all manner of goods in their car.
I see autonomous vehicles taking over taxis however.
If the alternative is readily available (ie. on-demand automated vehicles), I think the maintenance expense reductions and capital redeployment possible by automating transport will motivate law-makers to increasingly penalize private car use. If you have to pay an extra $5000/year for a private vehicle permit, a lot of people will switch.
The family wagon with 2 child seats, pram, toys, nappies, etc... That one makes sense to own.
And a car will automatically be at their house every morning. The car will fill up with people on the same route for cost savings.
Yuk. No thanks.
People will leave food, garbage and even used condoms in these cars. They will have to be cleaned up between every ride. It's not going to be easy.