Apple CEO Tim Cook visits factory of major Chinese supplier Luxshare amid preparations for the assembly of its Vision Pro headset

Apple CEO Tim Cook recently embarked on a trip to China, where he visited the manufacturing facilities of Luxshare Precision Industry Co. Luxshare is a significant supplier for Apple, producing components for the company's AirPods and iPhones. They have also been selected to assemble Apple's upcoming product, the Vision Pro mixed-reality headset. The Vision Pro is a groundbreaking device that revolutionizes the way users interact with their favorite apps, offering a unique 'spatial computing' experience. Cook's visit to Luxshare's factory signifies Apple's continued confidence in China's manufacturing capabilities, despite recent efforts to diversify assembly work across other countries such as India and Vietnam. Luxshare is currently preparing for the assembly of the Vision Pro, marking the first time Apple has enlisted a mainland Chinese supplier for the production of a first-generation product. The Vision Pro is slated for release in the US early next year, with a retail price of $3,499. Luxshare was co-founded in 2004 by Grace Wang Laichun, a former assembly line worker for Foxconn, another Apple supplier. After a decade at Foxconn, Wang left to establish Luxshare with her brother. In addition to the Vision Pro, Apple has also entrusted Luxshare with the assembly of more iPhones, following disruptions at a Foxconn factory due to a Covid-19 outbreak and a mass departure of employees. While Luxshare has not announced plans to expand production outside China, other major Apple contract manufacturers, such as Foxconn, have increased investments in new facilities across Asia. For instance, Apple's iPhone production in India could rise to 23% by the end of 2025, up from 6% last year. However, it is estimated that it will take another decade for India to rival China in terms of electronics contract manufacturing for Apple.