My initial impression was that this is the car that would make me switch to ev. I do a 24mile round trip commute and since been knocked off my bike I am back in a car. So with a larger family car at our service this could be a great configuration for a second car.
Fewer parts, simple design, great I’m right behind the Colin Chapman Alec Issigonis school of car design. But where the design fails for me is the ultimate cost of the car. I don’t think people are going to pay more for less parts, it doesn’t add up regardless if they have zero running costs. As a business model why chase unrealistic margins with a higher price tag, put the battery on a subscription service for ongoing revenue and a lower market entry price. That would also resolve customer anxiety about battery life expectancy, performance drop, and technical obsolescence.
In my opinion the people who want to buy a car like this want low cost utilitarian simplicity without the gimmicks and frills. Leave gull wing doors to 100k plus exotics and forgo the aerodynamic wheel skirts for at least partially open ones. I realise there is a fine line here and you don’t want it to look like a ‘kit’ car. But you are not saving the planet if people are repainting or replacing fenders twice a year. Likewise ploughing exotic details and materials in for marginal benefits feels like the holistic environmental ethos of the car is being lost.
At the moment the look of the car is okay but I would turn down the delicate aeroplane fuselage aesthetic a little for something that looks a notch more robust.
Given a fresh start I think this format could work better as a three seater; McLaren F1 style. I guess it’s mostly going to be used only by a single occupant but the opportunity to get two kids in the back would be a major bonus plus no left right hand drive costs.
For the car to succeed in my option it needs to be low cost, easily repairable, forget any pretentious details, and don’t overuse expensive and over designed components. Off the shelf stuff from the motorbike industry would be just fine and only add to the environmental credentials of the car in my view.
I agree with your suggestions on price, especially given the widening field of EV cars as competition. But I hope they leave the shape as it is. First, I think the CFD simulations are defining that shape, not an industrial designer. So, any departure from that shape will result in lower efficiency. I personally respect a design team that is dedicated to pure efficiency. I think it is also a differentiating philosophy. If they turn down the delicate aeroplane fuselage aesthetic, I will go somewhere else. I am here because this is a radical design.
I hope there will be various trim levels from basic utilitarian for commuters & municipalities to a performance toy for the rich.
I agree with some of your points. Even though I invested the little that I can afford and I wish a very successful future to aptera, I find the base price disappointingly high, and its justification with the high margins just adds insult to injury. I really like the current design though and I don't think the lowering of the cost should come from lowering the quality of the product.
I do hope that aptera becomes truly successful car manufacturer with a large market share and their cars are present everywhere around the world. However, I don't see this happening at this price. I'm afraid it will just remain a little known quirky Californian gimmick. I really hope I'm wrong though.
A buyout by someone with deep pockets liks MS, AAPL, or GOOG would be ideal. I suspect that's what they're angling for.
The design plus use of advanced materials is the only reason I would buy this vehicle. Any dumbing down would remove many of the environmentalists that are not value price dependant.
I‘m sure there is a niche market for this car as it stands I guess to be a conscience car for someone with money to burn and an ego that demands their purchases shows their unrelenting demand for cutting edge tech and bragging rights. I think the design is a little just too alienating and the manufacturing model not mass market applicable so it’s a long way from making a difference as a people’s car to cut down our reliance on fossil fuels. So unless things change just a toy for the rich... not a car to really make a difference
I think that would be more true if other EVs somehow manage to achieve similar mileage and efficiency. If Aptera can actually deliver the promised performance in these areas while the others remain mired together with mediocre range and efficiency, Aptera will stand head and shoulders above the others. Personally, I look forward to the day when I can poke the Tesla owners at work when I park near the charging station, but never use it. Aptera will have to provide some reasonable creature comforts to make that possible, but I don't think they need some of the novelty "features" in a Tesla to compete. And, I agree with some of the other comments about lowering the price. I think somewhere in the mid to high twenties would expand their market.
@Jeff Petsinger When you factor in federal and state rebates, you could get a new Aptera for price you're looking for, at least in states like New Jersey and California.
@Harry Parker Good point. I forgot about the rebates.
Are aptera aiming to be present around the world? I guess not. The .us domain is already a strong sign. There exist many countries where people would like to drive efficient and environment friendly car but there are no governmental subsidies. The product is great and can really be successful around the world but aptera's marketing doesn't seem to give a damn about anything outside US. Actually probably outside California. Correct me if I'm wrong but I cannot imagine many people from the north buying it.
Another point- am I the only one who wants this car for a daily commute? Cause I think this what it will do best. And that doesn't require three motors or 1000+ miles range. Solar panels and 200 miles range would be more than enough. But aptera doesn't want to sell many cars, it seems. I really haven't seen anything to change my opinion that Aptera are just building a quirky Californian gimmick.
Another good point, I hadn't considered international sales. My guess is that they are focused on getting things off the ground in the US. Once economies of scale kick in, they would probably be in a position to offer different models and price structures for international markets. Harry Parker has a better answer for your question.
BTW, I live in the western suburbs of Chicago, and I hope to replace my current gas guzzling Cadillac CTS with an Aptera. I am a little concerned about snow and ice building up in the wheel covers. I am guessing there won't be many Apteras around my area. I was wondering if Aptera would offer a test drive stipend to owners who let potential new buyers take their car for a test drive since they won't have any showrooms.
I will be using it primarily as a commuter car, and I personally need 40-50 miles of daily range. But, I would also like to be able to drive to my condo in Wisconsin (~250 miles)on a single charge. I do not consider the car a gimmick. As an engineer, I see the Aptera as what a car should look like, and the rest of the market as sales gimmicks. I mean, take a Humvee for example. They didn't even work very well for the military let alone a soccer mom headed to the grocery store.
To answer your 1st question: Yes, worldwide. What made you think otherwise? You obviously can reach here from wherever you are. Check the Q & A's at wefunder.com/aptera/ask for answers to this and many other questions.
They are planning to sell Aptera's (Apterae?) with lower ranges and smaller batteries as well. The 400 mile rated version in the far North should be just what you need, with all wheel drive for good control in the snow and the heater going full blast, you would still get 200 miles with range to spare on the coldest winter days.
I agree with what was said about the look. The original look and design intent of the Aptera pulled me in years ago and I still like it (I would have bought the prototype or a kit). I would hope others would agree.
Back in the original Aptera days, after everybody chimed in and wanted this and that, the car's shape changed for the worse. It went from clean and lean to fat and chunky. And even worse than that, they ran out of money making so many design changes (among other reasons).
Stick to the original look, focus on efficiency, use existing tech where you can, use Monroe to refine it and bring that good looking thing to the market fast. I've wanted this for an efficient commuter car (50-60 mi round-trip) for years now.
Get it done. Resist trying to make it a Honda Accord for the masses.