[NewsPoster]

Apple's CEO Tim Cook and its Chief Design Officer Jony Ive have been included in a list of the ten most influential people in automotive technology. Complied by Time magazine's automotive blog, Cook and Ive join a list that includes, among others, Elon Musk and Uri Levine, the founder of Waze. Although the rumoured Apple electric car was mentioned, the pair made to the list for current technological and design approaches.

In making the list at number six on The Drive's list, Jony Ive was given credit for his influence on automotive design aesthetics, some of which, at least, are influenced by Ive's work across the iPhone and Apple's wide product portfolio. According to the publication, the "cleanliness and iconoclasm" of Ive's approach to design is reflected in some of the "best car interiors." For Cook's part, he makes number 3 on the list for heading up Apple, a company which has brought Car Play and Apple Watch-based car apps to the market. Further, greenlighting of the Apple Car project suggests that his influence in the field will only extend deeper.

While most might expect that Tesla founder Elon Musk might take the number one slot, that was reserved for John Krafcik, the 54-year old CEO of Google self-driving car program. Although nowhere near as well-known as the pair of Apple executives to the average person, Krafcik has an impressive resume. As a design lead at Ford, he is credited with reviving the popular Ford Expedition, while as the former CEO of Korean giant Hyundai, he is associated with driving brand growth and leading the company to record profitability.

[Steve Wilkinson]

Seriously?

Must have been decided by a bunch of dorfs trapped in a room with too much coffee.

[kserman]

Awarded them on a rumor ? that's crazy

[JoePanic]

This is the technology equivalent of President Obama receiving a Nobel Peace Prize on... hope.

[drbroom]

All I will add is if they build it I will run away from that car. and be afraid of anyone who is driving one