Is Apple Teaming Up With Fiat For More Than CarPlay?

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (NYSE: FCAU)'s CEO Sergio Marchionne, speaking in Canada during an event to mark the opening of a new Maserati dealership in a Toronto suburb, said that he recently met with Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL)'s Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook along with Elon Musk, Chief Executive Officer of Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA).

Patently Apple, the popular Apple-related blog picked up the story, noting that Marchionne said he is "interested" in Apple's intervention in the car.

The publication added that Marchionne's meeting with Cook could add more speculation of a "project Titan" (a rumored project related to an "Apple Car"), there is no evidence that the Fiat executive's visit to Apple went beyond their existing relationship over Carplay.

Fiat is one of 34 partners Apple counts on to carry its CarPlay in their vehicles. Apple's "infotainment" in-board system that offers drivers directions, the ability to make calls, send and receive messages and listen to music through their iPhone device.

Patently Apple further noted that Apple continues to work on new possible CarPlay related projects. For example, in February, a patent titled "Apple Invents a New CarPlay/HomeKit Related iDevice System" was uncovered. Other projects include outdoor and indoor parking location features and an advanced automotive access and control system that automates driver preferences including seat orientation, climate control, music preferences and more.

"These things are real. It's not science fiction — they're coming," Marchionne told reporters following the opening of a the new dealership in Ontario. He added that he was "incredibly impressed" with Musk and wouldn't dismiss Tesla's ability to compete with the traditional automakers.