As if Apple is just a tiny little startup looking for VC funds to get into the automotive industry and couldn't possibly compete with Ford.
>And for what?
Control over the entire driving experience. Just like they are obsessed with controlling the experience of a phone or a tablet and refuse to relegate aspects to partners.
>improving them isn't some insurmountable challenge for existing manufacturers
You say this but yet car manufacturers continue refusing to do so. It's been years already and sluggish screens are still normal, a bunch of weirdly placed knobs that offer no substantial tactile feedback, wheels that are horrible to hold, here are 3 different screens for some ungodly reason, and list goes on. Now this doesn't mean Apple will get everything right, but their attention to detail isn't something to overlook here and it's a huge advantage in a field where manufacturers have largely gone stagnant.
Apple can expand carplay while also manufacturing their own car. Actually, that would be one of the greatest forms of advertising their own car. Here's the pure experience, whereas you're using something tainted by GM.
To note, I'm not convinced the Apple Car will happen, but I'm frankly confused by people with the perspective that they have no leverage and nothing to offer here. A car with the Apple brand and nothing new will likely push more units than several new carmakers.