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Canadian auto-parts giant Manga International Inc. is reportedly in advanced talks with Apple Inc. to build its long-rumoured Apple Car.

German newspaper Handelsblatt reported Wednesday that both BMW AG and Daimler AG have ended talks with Apple about a deal to help build an electric, possibly self-driving car.

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According to the newspaper, Magna is now considered to be the front-runner for the contract.

Manga spokeswoman Tracy Fuerst said the company doesn’t comment on speculation.

Earlier this year, Tesla Motors Inc. CEO Elon Musk said it was an “open secret” that Apple is building a car.

“It’s pretty hard to hide anything if you hire over 1,000 engineers to do it,” Musk told BBC News in January.

Magna has long been rumoured to be in the running to build the car. It already assembles vehicles for Mercedes and BMW’s Mini brand at its Magna-Steyr operation in Austria, but Mini will end production at the plant this year.

To replace that business, Magna announced a contract in January to product 100,000 5 Series sedans for BMW.