KEY POINTS
- Shares of Hyundai and Kia surged as a potential deal with Apple to build electric vehicles emerges
- The $3.59 billion deal is expected to be finalized on Feb. 17
- The first Apple Car will most likely be self-driving, or autonomous
Shares of South Korean automakers Kia and parent company Hyundai surged Thursday after news of a potential deal with Apple to manufacture autonomous electric cars.
Hyundai and Kia saw their shares rise by 1.22% and 0.31%, respectively, in the Thursday morning trade after it was revealed both were close to finalizing the $3.59 billion deal with Apple to produce electric vehicles at the Kia assembly plant in Georgia.
A South Korean news outlet said Apple and the two car manufacturers are expected to sign the deal on Feb. 17.
The agreement comes after years of speculation about whether the game-changing tech company known for its iPhones, iWatches and