Apple is said to be negotiating a deal with British luxury auto maker McLaren. The rumors are line with Apple's plan to develop a self-driving car.

Apple is also said to be interested in acquiring Lit Motors, a San Francisco-based startup. McLaren specializes in expensive race cars while Lit Motors is designing an electric vehicle.

According to Bloomberg, Apple is interested in making a strategic investment in McLaren. At the very same, Lit Motors may help Apple by providing expertise about electric cars. Lit Motors has 10 technology patents, which may be used for designing an autonomous vehicle. The company is said to have 13 engineers on its team.

Apple recently carried out a significant overhaul of its self-driving car unit, despite never formally acknowledging its existence. The company reportedly laid off dozens of employees from the project. Apple is believed to be now looking to focus on developing software for the autonomous vehicles, instead of building a physical car.

NYTimes reported that both Apple and Lit Motors declined to provide any comment about the rumors. McLaren, on the other hand, issued an email statement saying that the company was "not in discussion with Apple in respect of any potential investment."