Nissan has issued a statement denying that it is in discussions to work with Apple on the US company’s long-rumored autonomous car project. Earlier today the Financial Times reported that Apple had approached the Japanese automaker about a potential partnership’in recent months’.

‘we are not in talks with Apple,’ says a spokesperson.’we’re always open to exploring collaborations and partnerships to accelerate industry transformation’.

That statement does n’t address whether the talks ever took place, which means it does n’t directly contradict the Financial Times’ story. The breaking point was said to be Apple’s request that Nissan manufacture cars carrying Apple’s branding.

Talks are n’t happening now without confirming if they ever did.’no way we are going to change the way we make cars,’ says Nissan COO.