First the mobile phone, now the car. Having revolutionised personal communication Apple now wants to change the way we drive. The technology group will next week launch its first in-car operating system with Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo as it attempts to take the lead in a fierce race to dominate tomorrow’s smart cars. The breakthrough comes amid a swirl of market rumours that Apple could be eyeing a bid for electric carmaker Tesla Motors. Google and other technology companies are already working on plans to develop their own car models alongside traditional automotive manufacturers. The deal marks the first time that Apple is embedding its software in devices other than its own branded products. The choice of the Ferrari, Volvo and Mercedes-Benz is seen to be in keeping with the US tech group’s high-end phones.