Apple has hired an auto manufacturing executive from Fiat Chrysler, raising more questions about its car ambitions
There have been reports in recent months of Apple potentially getting into the auto industry with its own electric car, although the company hasn't confirmed anything about it yet.
The hiring of Betts is likely to further stoke the speculation, especially since he's an expert in auto manufacturing, not just sales.
Betts has spent almost 30 years in the auto industry, working at companies including Michelin, Toyota, and Fiat Chrysler most recently, according to his LinkedIn page.
The report cited Betts' updated LinkedIn profile as proof of his move, in which he now changed his title to "Operations - Apple Inc."
We've reached out to Apple for comment and will update when we hear back.
This isn't the first time Apple's been involved in rumors of making its own car. The WSJ reported earlier this year that Apple has hired hundreds of employees to work on a secret project called "Titan," with the goal of creating an electric car under Apple's brand.
Also, in February, an Apple employee reached out to us saying the company is working on something that will "give Tesla a run for its money."
Even Fiat Chrysler's CEO Sergio Marchionne recently told the press, following a meeting with Apple, that its CEO Tim Cook is "interested in Apple's intervention in the car."
If true, Apple would be joining a number of Silicon Valley tech companies, mainly Google, in the car manufacturing space. Google released a prototype of its own self-driving cars last year.