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.
@Kerbe #12705, Has anyone seen an official set of rules and disclosures for the Aptera referral program? If so, please link it, I would greatly appreciate it.
@Ozman #10058 I believe that all the available information is under the "rewards" button. I've not seen a document listing details and suggest you contact info@aptera.us to ask if one exists. I do know that the referral program isn't run by Aptera but by an external company with whom they've contracted.
@Kerbe #12705 Thanks, but the information there, is at best a vague description, not anything that really could be considered binding. (Tesla's are spelled out in great detail.) Do you know where you saw the information on who was running the program? (I've watched all the webinars and been thru the available sets of Aptera answers/data, but I could have missed that.)
For NJ, it might be easy enough for Aptera to authorize someone with a NJ street address (especially if it's a commercial address) to be a "dealer" in name only, just to fill the requirement.
@BMW Bloch One reason for adoption to different markets is to reduce cost (mid-to-long term) by making one version that meets worldwide standards, like every other auto maker.
The best help we can provide is to buy what they sell.
Demanding dozens of changes, upgrades, features, adoption to different markets will make it just more complicated and more expensive for them to manufacture.
Quite frankly if I were them, I would have simplified it for version 1 deliveries. Just 1 to 2 colors, 1 interior, 1 battery size (they start with one), local deliveries / pick-it up only. Leave the tent option to the aftermarket suppliers.
The USA has approx 330 mln citizens. There should be enough geeks buying apteras and keeping them busy for years to come.
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.
@n.bruce.nelson Excellent advice.
1) A SPAC merger with Vancouver's SOLO ... if feasible ... with 3-wheeled EVs in Arizona and California, iirc. The SOLO has no solar but is validated in most states, iirc.
2) An aggressive CEO for this excellent car.
3) I own 2 Tesla's and would love this Aptera SOLAR EV in my garage; it needs pr/ads imho.
Because of the particular history of Aptera Motors, I doubt if the company founders would be interested. Chris has already raised over $100 million in capital for a number of companies, and has taken a lithium battery company public. Aptera failed the first time because the founder's lost control. I think they will stay focused on the design mission and have the support in place that they need to execute. They are open to cooperation with almost anyone on a technical basis, but but not to the extent that they lose directional control.
I think this is a huge mistake. Like I told a friend of mine in 2000, when his company's stock was at $384/share and he had $5m in vested shares. He wanted to sell just enough to buy a BMW and enough for a down payment on a house. Yahoo had begun to plummet a few weeks before and the "big bust" was starting. I told him, "Sell everything you can. 50% of $384/share is better than 28% of nothing.". I didn't see him for 6 months - November, 2000 - and his stock was then at $4.share. I asked him what he did back in March when we last talked. He looked down, for effect, then back up and said, "I took your advice and sold it all. Walked away with $5m after taxes". Same applies here. We need this car on the roads soon, and we need it in high volume numbers. You don't have to give up control - Elon Musk / Tesla didn't. I'm not a finance guy, so you can stop reading here, but I am someone who follows these things, and a SPAC is the quickest way in. Your last experience was in a different climate. Strike while the iron is hot.
I suppose I am looking for ways in which we can, as a community, apply pressure where it is needed. I am sitting in the middle of the Rust Belt w/ Auto manufacturers/suppliers/workers (what's left of them anyway) everywhere. So I was wondering if there were places where we can lend smaller a focused voice to help fight back against a much larger audience of legacy ones.
Buy the product is kind of the default position.
What are the restrictions that might need focus ?
I think that's the larger question of if there exist restrictions in certain states that could impact licensing/insuring/etc. There have been some whispers about issues in certain states (or Countries) that could result in restricted adoption. I guess that's what I'm looking for to see if there are items like this that exist from Aptera's perspective.
Yes. The few states that don't make it easy for autocycles like Aptera need a little lobbying work. The states, AK, MT, WY, NY, MA, and ME, don't recognize autocycles as a special kind of motorcycle and so require motorcycle licenses for their drivers. Some of them require helmuts if they helmuts for motorcycles. AK doesn't allow 3 wheelers on highways with a speed limit of over 55 mph! NJ has a rebates and a sales tax exemption for electric motorcycles, but theey must be bought from a dealer in NJ.
So if you are in one of these states, research your state motor vehicle rules and regulations and and contact your congressperson about getting them improved for autocycles.
All good suggestions, IMO. How about we sell an aftermarket device (consisting of a roller skate wheel on a stick) that converts a three-wheeled vehicle into a “Four-wheeled automobile” for AK, NY, etc.
@Tom Kruer Unfortunately, having 4 wheels adds requirements such as bumpers.
&John Hall, you ask”Are there areas of sourcing and fabrication or component engineering where items could be done? ”
I‘m an Engineer, not a political wonk, so I’m working in this area of component design and procurement. May soon have some good news to share.
https://www.aptera.us/forum/general-discussions/aptera-on-the-stock-exchange