Samsung To Make Electric Cars As Well As Smartphones

Rumors of an Apple "iCar" have circulated for some time now, though they're largely viewed as not credible--and now similar rumors might be directed toward Samsung.

The Korean electronics giant recently filed a series of patents for components that could be used in electric cars, according to The Wall Street Journal (via SlashGear).

The patent filings--submitted to both the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office and the Korea Intellectual Property Rights Information Service--cover technology for electric motors, tires, and in-car electronics that relay information to the driver.

However, Samsung officials told the WSJ that the company has no plans to build electric cars; the patents will simply keep its options open. The company has reportedly been looking to expand beyond the competition-choked television and mobile-device markets.Samsung files hundreds of technology patents on a regular basis, not always for products that make it into consumers' hands.In the automotive sphere, through, Samsung has already done more than file patents.

The company's battery division has been in talks with Tesla Motors [NSDQ:TSLA] to supply lithium-ion cells, augmenting current supplier (and Tesla investor) Panasonic. Persistent demand for the Model S has caused Tesla to seek a second supplier.

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