Formed in 2014 to innovate an autonomous driving system and manufacture cars in the next 3 years, Apple, Inc. initiates modification on Titanic plan. The technology company headquartered in Cupertino, California fears pressing risk on quality assurance might cause a detriment to the distinguished brand, thus, eases on its initial scheme of establishing an automotive line. Reports say the team leaders made revisions on the previous proposal to pave the way to collaborate with car manufacturers momentarily, or reconsider automotive ambitions in the long run.
While some workers were reassigned or let to leave voluntarily, this decision led to termination of hundreds of employees previously participated in the project. On the contrary, the organization opted for additional employees to partake in strategy overhaul. According to sources, the management has given the Titanic project until the end of 2017 to prove its feasibility wherein the final decision will depend on.
Vocabulary:
veer – divert, change directions
autonomous – independent
detriment – disadvantage, damage
collaborate – work together
overhaul – modify, rebuild, remodel
True or False:
- Apple, Inc. makes adjustments on Titanic Project which originally aims to develop an automatic robot that can transform into a car.
- The said project should be completed by 2020.
- The said change of plans led to downsizing its manpower to hundreds of employees through re-assignment, termination and letting some to resign.
- The management has given the team a deadline to justify its viability at the end of 2017.
- Apple will reconsider building cars on 2021.
Defend your argument:
- Apple is widely known for its mastery of technology. Do you think this company can venture out of its proficiency and build its own version of a vehicle?
- Take note that it has revised its plan and has a new project. Is it possible that it will work this time around?
- Is manufacturing smart phones and gadgets different from manufacturing cars? Expound your answer.
- Do you think that cutting down the number of employees for this project necessary? Why or why not?
Express your opinion:
- Can a phone manufacturer build a vehicle like a car?
- If you were the president of a company as popular as Apple, would you consider doing things outside your mastery?
- Share your thoughts about this quote: “There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.” -Colin Powell