Apple has terminated over 600 California-based employees following the discontinuation of its car and smartwatch display projects, according to filings with the California Employment Development Department, Bloomberg reported.
The report further added that decision to wind down both initiatives in February was attributed to significant challenges.
Apple executives struggled with uncertainty regarding the direction of the car project and concerns over its costs. Meanwhile, the display program encountered substantial obstacles in engineering, supplier acquisition, and cost management.
Apple's car project encountered executive indecision and cost concerns, leading to its cancellation, while the smartwatch display program grappled with significant engineering, supplier, and cost challenges.
Earlier layoffs at Apple occurred in April 2023 within its corporate retail teams as part of a cost-saving initiative. Subsequently, positions were cut in the development and preservation teams responsible for building and maintaining Apple retail stores and facilities globally.