Sandy put his money where his mouth is by investing in Aptera, but he is also unlikely to say anything bad about them.
Sandy Munro Has High Expectations Of Aptera, Says It’s “Creating A New Industry”
Sandy Munro Has High Expectations Of Aptera, Says It’s “Creating A New Industry”
I'm not sure whether getting a thumbs up from Munro is good or bad for Aptera, but his take on the vehicle's appeal and utility are at least interesting. While it's pretty hyperbolic to claim that Aptera will create a "new industry", I do think that Aptera is on to something. The tricycle configuration and the Jetson's exterior are likely to dampen their appeal however. Personally, as a disciple of the "form follows function" design school and a motorcyclist, I'm not bothered by the looks and comfortable with the three-wheel configuration.
In the video, Munro opines that Aptera will scale up more rapidly than the company's public projections, and that demand will grow rapidly once deliveries begin. Aptera is now in the final stages of development of their Gamma version and expects to begin delivery in late 2023 or early 2024, so we don't have too long of a wait to see if Munro is correct.
In the interest of full disclosure, I need to admit to having a reservation in for the 400 mile AWD version with the full solar panel option. I initially reserved the Aptera more or less on a lark, but now think that the vehicle will see service as a primary means of local transportation, and perhaps even for some longer trips that don't require a lot of luggage. Will also be interesting to see whether an Aptera or a Rivian becomes my first EV.
I'm not sure whether getting a thumbs up from Munro is good or bad for Aptera, but his take on the vehicle's appeal and utility are at least interesting. While it's pretty hyperbolic to claim that Aptera will create a "new industry", I do think that Aptera is on to something. The tricycle configuration and the Jetson's exterior are likely to dampen their appeal however. Personally, as a disciple of the "form follows function" design school and a motorcyclist, I'm not bothered by the looks and comfortable with the three-wheel configuration.
In the video, Munro opines that Aptera will scale up more rapidly than the company's public projections, and that demand will grow rapidly once deliveries begin. Aptera is now in the final stages of development of their Gamma version and expects to begin delivery in late 2023 or early 2024, so we don't have too long of a wait to see if Munro is correct.
In the interest of full disclosure, I need to admit to having a reservation in for the 400 mile AWD version with the full solar panel option. I initially reserved the Aptera more or less on a lark, but now think that the vehicle will see service as a primary means of local transportation, and perhaps even for some longer trips that don't require a lot of luggage. Will also be interesting to see whether an Aptera or a Rivian becomes my first EV.
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Sandy put his money where his mouth is by investing in Aptera, but he is also unlikely to say anything bad about them.
Recall that the Segway was also supposed to create a whole new industry, with Steve Jobs saying he believed cities would be re-designed to accommodate them...
That's exactly what came to my mind, too.
We need more affordable EV options. I think it will be a popular vehicle for those who want an energy efficient EV at a reasonable cost. I hope they succeed.
I wouldn't mind driving the Aptera back and forth to work. I go less than 40 miles round trip and I live in Phoenix, so it would work for me. What about air conditioning and heat? Did I hear correctly that its range is 250 miles?
Not sure how safe it is on a freeway. I'd be worried about side impacts. Not worried about the 3 wheel config. That setup is reasonably stable.
Not sure how safe it is on a freeway. I'd be worried about side impacts. Not worried about the 3 wheel config. That setup is reasonably stable.
I disagree with Sandy, Maybe he meant to say "New Market" not new Industry! The slingshot has been out for years, Gas powered 3 wheel vehicle, This is just an EV version of the same thing but now with a roof. They've just making a better mouse trap. Telsa never created a New Industry! They created a new market.
Yeah, it works the other way too....he is "invested" in their success. Also, I wonder how much he paid for share? Didn't the founders pay less than .001% of the share price one would pay today?
Sandy put his money where his mouth is by investing in Aptera, but he is also unlikely to say anything bad about them.
One needs to look at his investment in Aptera and the sweetheart deal he has as far as value before taking his “expectations” too seriously…
They've gone a very long time without producing a vehicle. They also need to prove that the cabin is as safe as a car. They claim it is but since it doesn't need to pass the crash tests, there's no standard and not tests.
I would not want to get hit by a Rivian in that!
Yea, and we thought the Tesla CT was vapor ware!!! The Aptera 2 Series was announced in late 2008. The company opened pre-ordering for residents of California, but stopped taking deposits in July 2011. On 12 August 2011, Aptera announced it would return all deposits from customers who had signed up to buy a car.
In 2019, Aptera Motors was re-formed by the original founders, Chris Anthony and Steve Fambro, and began developing a much revised solar-powered EV, the Aptera (solar electric vehicle), with up to a 1,600 km range.
Sooooo, anyone wanna take bets on whether or no this vehicle will see the light of day in any production capacity? Also, be mindful that the reason it was designed as a three wheeled vehicle was to avoid all those pesky MVSS Safety regulations. Because the Aptera 2 Series had only three wheels, most American states classify the vehicle as a motorcycle. This means that safety and emissions tests are not mandatory, as they are for cars. YIKES!
With all this information...who still thinks this will be a "New Industry"?
In 2019, Aptera Motors was re-formed by the original founders, Chris Anthony and Steve Fambro, and began developing a much revised solar-powered EV, the Aptera (solar electric vehicle), with up to a 1,600 km range.
Sooooo, anyone wanna take bets on whether or no this vehicle will see the light of day in any production capacity? Also, be mindful that the reason it was designed as a three wheeled vehicle was to avoid all those pesky MVSS Safety regulations. Because the Aptera 2 Series had only three wheels, most American states classify the vehicle as a motorcycle. This means that safety and emissions tests are not mandatory, as they are for cars. YIKES!
With all this information...who still thinks this will be a "New Industry"?
New Industry? No. However, it is a very innovative and compelling product with legitimate potential, especially at the price point initially shared. I have a reservation from a few years ago and continue to follow their story. They seem to be moving forward with production tooling and supplier agreements, yet there still exists a funding shortage. Now, if they get to producing customer vehicles (I give it a 50/50 chance) the question will be pricing. A lot has changed in the years since announcing the product and, as we saw with potential Rivian buyers, earlier hand raisers do not take too kindly to prices being changed during their extended wait for production.Yea, and we thought the Tesla CT was vapor ware!!! The Aptera 2 Series was announced in late 2008. The company opened pre-ordering for residents of California, but stopped taking deposits in July 2011. On 12 August 2011, Aptera announced it would return all deposits from customers who had signed up to buy a car.
In 2019, Aptera Motors was re-formed by the original founders, Chris Anthony and Steve Fambro, and began developing a much revised solar-powered EV, the Aptera (solar electric vehicle), with up to a 1,600 km range.
Sooooo, anyone wanna take bets on whether or no this vehicle will see the light of day in any production capacity? Also, be mindful that the reason it was designed as a three wheeled vehicle was to avoid all those pesky MVSS Safety regulations. Because the Aptera 2 Series had only three wheels, most American states classify the vehicle as a motorcycle. This means that safety and emissions tests are not mandatory, as they are for cars. YIKES!
With all this information...who still thinks this will be a "New Industry"?
I'll fess up....I'm an Aptera reservation holder too. I'd like to see them succeed. They've got a very interesting concept for an "around town" vehicle. It should be great for running some errands or back and forth to work (assuming you're not a long commuter). It is NOT, however, a Rivian type vehicle. You can't load it up for a camping trip in the mountains with the family. I don't think it would do very well trying to do the rock crawling thing...
I thought is was 1,000 km range with the big battery and solar panels. I had a deposit with them but got it returned and never re-upped.assuming you're not a long commuter)
The passenger cage can certainly be made as crash safe as a car but they need some way to certify it. I guess they could ask IIHS.org to do its regular car crash test with it.
The off road version with motors in the wheels and height adjustment would be a go anywhere vehicle. A great commuter that could handle bad weather.
He's right--Aptera was a pioneer in the industry of electric vehicle vaporware. They've been at it since the mid aughts.
Even from this Chevy Bolt owner, appearance counts for something. Once a Praying Mantis always a Praying Mantis.
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