One is an iconic powerhouse, with revenues surpassing $US80 billion and a brand synonymous around the world with unrivalled luxury.
The other is simply a titan of industry, capable of gobbling up its new-found ally in a move that could send shockwaves across the technology and automobile sectors.
But might Apple acquire BMW? And might it be a good idea?
“With hundreds of billions of dollars overseas and ridiculous profits domestically it is safe to say that Apple can have its way with whatever industry, market or project it sets its mind to,” says Roger Lanctot, Research Analyst, Strategy Analytics.
“The only sad thing is that money alone can't cure cancer or bring Middle East peace.
“Money can, however, help bring a new car company into being, which is precisely the prospect being debated in duelling reports out of Cupertino.”
As explained by Lanctot, Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche recently admitted that during a trip to Silicon Valley, he was rather surprised to find great progress being made by both Apple and Google on their well known car projects.
But despite a serious lack of evidence and Apple remaining coy on the idea, it’s become a foregone conclusion that the tech giant is building its own car, rivalling Google’s own self-driving cars which have been around for years.
Such speculation is based around Apple’s well-documented attempts to initiate talks to partner with BMW on a rumoured electric car project in 2014, before ultimately pulling out of the idea.
Two years on however, and things appear to have changed.
Apple Car
Codenamed Titan, Apple’s electric car project was rumoured to be approved by Apple CEO Tim Cook in late 2014 and assigned to Vice President Steve Zadesky, a former Ford engineer as project in-charge.
For the project, Apple also allegedly hired Johann Jungwirth, the former-president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Research and Development North America, as well as at least one transmission engineer.
But while the company remains muted on the project, Zadesky’s impending departure from tech giant - revealed in late January - now threatens to significantly setback Apple’s electric vehicle plans.
“It's clear that Apple can do as it pleases and with such vast resources at its disposal the only question is Apple's level of motivation,” Lanctot admits.
“But it may be a question of how Apple takes on the automotive industry. It’s the usual question of build, buy or partner.”
With millennials showing little interest in cars, Lanctot speculates that maybe cars aren't quite as exciting an opportunity as they once were - in spite of record 2015 vehicle sales in the U.S.
“Skeptics repeatedly point to Apple's profit margin comfort level being misaligned with the leaner margins of the auto industry, but believers expect Apple to overcome rather than accept that state of affairs,” he questions.
Project Titan
The two stories do raise the question as to what an Apple car will be however.
What will an Apple car look like? Who or what is it for? Is it a shared vehicle or a service delivery platform? Is it an aspirational sports car suitable only for one percenters? Is it super fast or super safe or super efficient - an EV, of course.