Apple halted two major projects in February 2024, leading to layoffs in California, according to a Bloomberg report. The company abandoned its electric and autonomous car project, as well as its endeavor to develop advanced display screens for smartwatches.
These cancellations were not abrupt decisions. Apple executives struggled to define a clear direction for the car project and grappled with its substantial cost. Similarly, the display screen initiative faced challenges such as engineering obstacles, difficulties in securing reliable suppliers, and managing production costs.
Over 600 employees in California lost their jobs due to these project closures, with most layoffs occurring at Apple’s main car project office in Santa Clara. Some employees were relocated to other teams within Apple, focusing on areas like artificial intelligence and personal robotics.
Apple has not disclosed the exact number of affected employees. The impact was particularly felt in California, but the true extent of the layoffs may be larger, as Apple likely had engineers working on these projects in other locations across the country.
At least 87 terminated employees were stationed at a secretive Apple facility dedicated to developing next-generation display technologies. The remaining affected workers were employed at various locations associated with the company’s automotive project.
In Santa Clara alone, 371 employees were let go from Apple’s primary car-related office, with additional job cuts across multiple satellite locations. Some former members of the Apple car team were reassigned to other projects, such as artificial intelligence or personal robotics initiatives.
