The market for self driving cars will be enormous, regardless of whether individuals own them or use them as a service. It's a field they would like to disrupt, and it's massive. What clashes with Apple, exactly?
Transport-as-a-service will commoditise the industry. Apple may change, of course. But if they follow their usual pattern, I agree with your parent that lack of owner-pride could challenge Apple's unique selling proposition.
Still, as you said, the market is huge. Even if I'm right, Apple can sell to owners, who'd become proud-though-minority road users.