Rehash of the "start with a small batch" idea

[mrienstra]

Just sent the following to Aptera (via their website's contact form).

Disclaimer: Not the most original idea ever.

I'm sure you've heard this idea already, but what the heck...

Sell 20 vehicles at $50,000 - $100,000, to raise $1,000,000 - $2,000,000.

Benefits:

* Make it clear that this car isn't vaporware.
* Get valuable real-world feedback.
* Maybe generate some income?

You could even make this first run a little more stripped-down than the 2 series, more like the Typ-1 / Mk-1 in some ways, to keep production costs down.

Actually, it might be interesting to do these by auction.

One angle: collectable, 0-generation Apteras. Each one could have a custom paint job, designed in collaboration with a different artist (or the same artist for all of them). Take a look at the Google Image Search results for "race car classic" : google .com/search?q=race%20car%20classic&tbm=isch -- each Aptera would be numbered, from 1 to 20.

I understand that you seem to be very committed to starting off as a mass-production, affordable vehicle, rather than something boutiquey (like Tesla), which I think is a wise idea. Still, it may be time to briefly alter your strategy in order to get some wheels on the road.

Small request: It would be nice to keep this thread focused on positive ideas. There are plenty of other threads about things not looking so good, things to be upset about, etc. Maybe this one could be a good-old-fashioned "the future looks bright!" thread... or not!

[NeilBlanchard]

Right, they need to decide which prototype version would be something they can produce at the scale they can manage.

The fact that they destroyed the molds and tooling for the PP series, is just tragic.

Can they get the firm (in Michigan?) that built the SO-1 to start a small run of chassis? How many can they build for $1Million? Then the good folks at Aptera need to spend another $1Million assembling them.

Start by selling the working units they have; saving just one for show and tell.

[Grendal]

Well done and well said. The Aptera signature series. How can it hurt?

[CyberBill]

I would love it if Aptera would do that... but I just don't think they will.

At this point, I honestly think the only way any of us is going to be driving an Aptera is if someone here makes their own clone and sells shells to other DIYers.

[Rembrant]

Not.
If, and that's a huge if, they were going to do something like this it would be the current vehicle they would do it with. Previous designs are history in every sense of the word.
I would guess that if they don't get the DOE loan they may try limited production as a last try to get something done. Or they may just throw in the towel. Who knows.

[wpatters]

The Aptera died when they, whoever. Disregarded the lightness and simplicity rule. It was doomed when they went to front wheel drive.

Just give it up and buy a Prius.

[NeilBlanchard]

Front wheel drive didn't doom the 2e; c'mon. Lightness and simplicity are key, but front wheel drive is very important, too.

[eventhusiast]

The front wheel drive added a huge cost increase, it does make the vehicle better in some respect BUT if you are truly looking for a low cost lightweight ev, then rear wheel drive is the way to go. It is simple, lightweight and propels the vehicle easily.

[NmGfan]

Originally Posted by eventhusiast

The front wheel drive added a huge cost increase, it does make the vehicle better in some respect BUT if you are truly looking for a low cost lightweight ev, then rear wheel drive is the way to go. It is simple, lightweight and propels the vehicle easily.

The toothed belt and pulleys weigh all of 8 pounds and contain no additional friction inducing shafts or bearings beyond the existing rear wheel bearing and the two bearings in the motor on my EV. Component cost for all three parts is about $125. I don't have regenerative braking, but I regularly consume in the 124 -150 Wh/mile range on daily drives, meaning I run between 6.8 and 8 miles per kWh. It may not be state of the art with respect to utilizing an advanced drive-train, but it is closer to the holy grail of miles-per-kWh than ANYTHING else for sale up to this point in time.

I'm sure I'll hear about the advantages of FWD on this, but a FWD system is heavier, does cost more, is more complex to implement, and has greater frictional losses.

[palmer_md]

I'd be interested in seeing the difference between the jan 2008 fwd components and the jan 2010 components. I suspect the first version was custom made and worked fine for the power outputs needed for a lightweight vehicle but they were removed and beefed up to utilize mainstream supplier components instead of custom. Total speculation on my part but it has crossed my mind. I liked the simplicity of the belt drive on the rear wheel. It would not have been a dealbreaker for me to not have maximum regen ability. I'm not sure if the gain in regen would have outweighed the loss of efficiency.