I don't think the "Apple of automobiles" exists, in the sense of there being a premium brand with substantial marketshare that would be operated by an independent company. (Porsche recently became a subsidiary of Volkswagen.)
Edit -- on second thought, I guess BMW could be it. They are still independent and don't produce anything cheaper than the Mini.
Edit -- on second thought, I guess BMW could be it. They are still independent and don't produce anything cheaper than the Mini.