Having watched Aptera Motors from afar previously and now retrospectively seeing work I'd previously been involved in (investor-facing money grabs), I wonder what we as a community can do this time to help build real potential for the success of this as a platform?
I get the basics of just sending out "noise" into the internet (btw the $30 off and free Aptera thing might have legs but it feels VERY gimmicky), but how can we help beyond that? Are there areas of sourcing and fabrication or component engineering where items could be done? Are there specific States/Countries where you are forseeing pushback per laws where maybe a vendor could be located within that region which can push the dial the other way? Is there a particular area of tech that you need tested more thoroughly that one or more of us might have expertise?
I ask this because I want to ensure that your team has more pieces on the board beyond simply "get orders -> get investors -> get capital -> ?" That you have managed to crawl out of the hole your prior efforts dug shows dedication. However, I want to know what, if anything, the broader community can help with. I'd be fairly certain there are a # of retired/semi-retired/unwillingly-retired automotive (and a few aerospace) engineers out there who aren't just after a paycheck, but also might like to give a black eye to any # of existing organizations.
Harnessing the fuel in that engine might power you beyond 1000 miles...
@John Hall The referral program isn't such a gimmick - Tesla does it and it's proven to be a MAJOR incentive! More than 80 people have secured enough completed referrals to "win" a $250,000 Roadster 2.
I am in my “regions’.... Electrifying America chats to talk about Aptera an their mission. I am in the SW US.
I try to reach out beyong that and even the opposite coast where I was born and raised and first started to following the original Aptera (same founders)
When I can have my own Aptera I actually “present the vehicle and real life experiences”
My range :
info@aptera.us will take/ channel your energy
There are a couple of big areas I can think of. One important one will be to work with State and federal legislators to ensure that the legal climate is in place to allow Apterae on the roads with a standard drivers' licence. New York is the most important, where the Governor just vetoed autocycle legislation. I am in California, but I would like to know why, and to get the political climate in place so that this can't happen again.
I understand that Arkansas needs work so that Apterae will be allowed on the Interstate highways there, and there are a few other problem spots, such as Maine with helmet laws. A second major area will be making sure that there are both state and federal tax credits available that can be applied to cars like Aptera. Covid seems to have been really affecting certain heat pump suppliers. I know that this is a need, and I had some contacts in this area. My sources seem to be very low profile at the moment, but perhaps I will have more luck in the new year. There may be other tech areas such as this where some of us could be helpful. Thanks for a very helpful post!
@n.bruce.nelson It makes me wonder if Aptera Motors has any existing relationships w/ PAC groups and/or if there is an area to focus energy around this. These groups are of course always looking for fresh energy/donors, as are State legislators. Particularly in States (like my own, Indiana) where the legislators are part-time and rarely write their own legislation.