Aptera

[Takumi]

I'm not sure if this has been posted already, but if you order the Aptera does it qualify for both the $7,500 and $4,500 government rebate? Or do you have to have it in your hands to qualify?

 

[doug]

I'm not sure if this has been posted already, but if you order the Aptera does it qualify for both the $7,500 and $4,500 government rebate? Or do you have to have it in your hands to qualify?

Last I heard, the answer is no. This is because it's classified not as an automobile, but as a motorcycle.

 

[vfx]

Yes, that has to be *THE* Jay Leno as we have seen...

We were on the way to the Burbank Airport last week when Jay pulled out of a side street and looked like we were going to hit him. Turns out he was just pulling in front of the Bookshop there but we had know way of knowing it till he looked at us and signaled where he was going and was done. The wife's Saab would have made a nice dent in the driver's side of his Monteverdi

 

[dpeilow]

Apterans to Mothership: Phone home! — Autoblog Green

Well, here's a good sign for those anxious for more Aptera news. We contacted the company about the situation and got this response from their head marketing man, Marques McCammon:

Our small team of executives has been traveling around the country establishing business relationships that will be beneficial to the future of Aptera. The result is that we will have some important announcements to make during the next few months. While these business activities have taken our primary focus away from communicating directly with our depositors, our next newsletter is slated to be emailed on Tuesday, which will jump-start a series of regular communications with our supporters.

 

[Picasso]

July 09 news letter

http://www.aptera.com/newsletter072709/

 

[doug]

Aptera

Looks like the new design will have suicide doors.

 

[AnOutsider]

The new 2 series also now has headroom and legroom comparable to, if not better than, the Mini and Chevy Volt. We widened the area at the hips to provide more space than the Smart EV and the Nissan Cube. Then to top it off, we increased our cargo capacity by more than 24 cubic feet, which is nearly two times the space available in the Honda Accord.

I always pictured the Aptera being roomy. Comparing it to small cars has me a bit concerned. No one wants to feel like they're riding in a tin can. Well.. I don't.

I do like how their site is very user-friendly and welcoming though. Very... car company 2.0

 

[vfx]

Looks like the new design will have suicide doors.

I could interpet that illustration as having no door as well.

Maybe it was left off for clarity. (not the Honda!)

 

[doug]

I could interpet that illustration as having no door as well.

Maybe it was left off for clarity. (not the Honda!)

I think that curved wisp on the left is trying to show the side window glass edge on. The door has no top frame, as in a convertible. This may be what they had to do to be able to roll down the windows.

 

[Picasso]

This late in the game for them to show a render makes me think the Dec. first build date will be slipping a bit.

 

[doug]

Debate Arises on 3 Wheeler - WSJ.com

This WSJ article is about Aptera lobbying to be considered "an automobile" by the government so that it can borrow $75M under that DOE program we know and love.

While I'm a fan of Aptera and would really like to see them succeed, I can't help but feel like they're trying to have it both ways here. They want to be a car to the DOE, but a motorcycle to the DOT.

 

[graham]

While I'm a fan of Aptera and would really like to see them succeed, I can't help but feel like they're trying to have it both ways here. They want to be a car the the DOE, but a motorcycle to the DOT.

Totally agree with your analysis on this, doug. I would be much happier if they went through a standard DOT automotive safety rating, and could somehow be eligible for DOE loans that way.

 

[TEG]

 

[doug]

Production Aptera 2e rendering leaked online? - Autoblog Green

 

[domenick]

Here's a lightened-with-photoshop version from Aptera Forum ...

It seems to be getting a pretty positive response. Looking forward to seeing the real thing.

 

[Palpatine]

I think it looks great. I cannot wait for the first of my two Apteras to arrive.

 

[TEG]

From back in April but recently posted:

 

[doug]

Aptera's chances of getting DOE loan money improving? - Autoblog Green

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) has co-sponsored legislation that would redefine what kind of vehicles would qualify for DOE funding. It seems that this updated legislation has passed through the House and is likely to be voted on in the Senate sometime next week.

 

[doug]

Production Aptera 2e leaked again on forum - Autoblog Green

New pic: FRONT VIEW of Final(?) Production-ready Aptera 2e (?) - ApteraForum.com - Aptera Car Forum

 

[TEG]