There could be an Apple eCar or is it an Apple iCar or is it an AppleCar in your future.

Apple is continuing to fan rumors it does intend to look to expand its reach into driverless cars by reportedly hiring a senior executive from Damler Benz with tons of experience in this booming car segment.

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Auto industry sources area abuzz with the news Apple is apparently interested in how to make an entire self-driving car and is exploring methods to do so, said Reuters. Previous rumors have Apple just interested in designing automotive software or individual components.

There's also the persistent speculation Apple has hired 50 employees from Tesla Motors to jump-start its move into a self-driving car. An anonymous Apple employee is claimed to have boasted Apple's designing a car that will give Tesla a run for its money.

But news Apple is amassing advice on parts and production methods by talking to experts from American carmakers and automotive suppliers seems to confirm Apple isn't interested in a gasoline engine car or using conventional manufacturing methods to make its upcoming vehicle.

More tellingly, Apple is reported to have hired Johann Jungwirth, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Research and Development North America to spearhead the alleged effort to produce an Apple self-driving car.

A spokesman for Daimler, however, said Jungwirth hadn't left Mercedes-Benz's autonomous car unit. Jungwirth's expertise is integrating smartphone functionality and developing advanced user experiences and not production.

Other experts, however, believe Apple might not be interested in building a car but in dominating as the supplier of the software smart cars needs. In addition, ZDNet believes Apple wants to be the software operating system supplier because it can make a lot more money that way in the long-term. One source described the driverless car as a software game.

Besides making a bundle from supplying software operating systems for driverless cars, Apple also stands to earn from services necessary to autonomous vehicles such as high-def mapping, and electric car recharging services.