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It’s looking more likely than ever that Apple AAPL +0.15% is getting into the car business. Rumors of “Project Titan Titan” have been swirling for months, including reports of a top-secret research lab staffed with hundreds of automotive engineers and even speculation that Apple is gearing up for automotive production in Ireland, where it already has a big presence.

Apple executive Jeff Williams dropped another strong hint last week at Re/Code’s influential Code Conference. “The car is the ultimate mobile device, isn’t it?” Williams said in response to a question about what industries the company is looking at. “We explore all kinds of categories. We’ll certainly continue to look at those and evaluate where we can make a huge difference.”

Does anyone doubt that Apple could make a huge difference in the auto industry? Not me. Imagine if Apple developed the Volkswagen Beetle for the 21st century — a true people’s car, not a pricey Tesla, one that’s simple and beautifully designed, priced within reach for most buyers and packed with stuff people want.