Product Update: You Spoke, We Listened p II
Tuesday, 27 October 2009 | by
(Chart A)
The second insight we received from our clinical research last year was that while our interior roominess was… well “roomy”, it could be better (as seen in Chart A above). So we went back to the drawing board to figure out how to squeeze more room out, while not compromising the overall vehicle design.
Here are some of the benefits of the result:
1. Improved occupant headroom
2. Improved hip room
3. Reduced drag 9%
4. Addition of drop glass
5. Improved armrest position.
(Chart B)
No. 1 — January 15th, 2010 at 6:06 pm
Congrats! You now have the car. Unfortunately very few customers have the car. Stories from October of how you are improving the doors (so people can get in), and how you are improving headroom (so people aren’t bumping their heads) though necessary, are not too compelling. Make sell a few of them. Surely you have more than a few buyers ready to go even with the economic conditions being what they are. You will not need to drop a mountain to make a big splash because people still doubt electric cars are even feasible. (They are feasible aren’t they?) Get a couple hundred on the road. That will be huge news. Everyone will be wanting a new car when we start to come out of the mess, and everyone remembers $4.50 gas prices; and everyone knows they will return. I’m in the market for a new car. My commute is 70 miles per day. I would love to have an Aptera as my commuter pod.
No. 2 — January 17th, 2010 at 8:16 am
I’m justterribly disappointed that these are not yet in the distribution phase. I first read about your cars 3 years ago and even then, the estimates were for years’ end. I’m still waiting for the car to be distributed in California, nevermind the rest of the country. As someone living on the east coast, this is taking far too long to get one. I think your concept is great but at this rate, people will stop following your vehicle as there seem to be no results here. Its a tad rediculous to be waiting half a decade for a car to be released when the original claims were that tyhe vehicle would start rolling off the assembly lines as of 2007 (3 years ago). Also, you seems to lack information that is pertinent not only to the rest of the country but even to those residing in the mountains and norther reaches of California who live in colder climates (will the vehicle function in snow? At how low of a temperature will your batteries still be viable? How does it handle inclines and ice?). All in all I like it but it is taking far too long to release and your insistence on “dealing with regional contingencies” is off puting to say the least.
No. 3 — January 31st, 2010 at 12:39 am
You guys created a buzz too early and are failing to capitalize on the curiosity and interest the car has generated. On top of that, the founder is moving on to other ideas even before the release to market of this car? Hmm.. I used to be an enthusiastic promoter of Aptera but now, there’s not much to see here. Guess your marketing team needs to pick up some tips from Apple on how to generate a buzz at the right time and capitalize on the buzz swiftly.
No. 4 — January 31st, 2010 at 7:36 am
We are particularly interested in the handling qualities of the APTERA at speeds over 70kts in terms of relative stability. R. Buckminster Fuller had some trouble with the three-wheeled DYMAXION vehicle with the same wheel layout as the APTERA but a different CG. All of Fullers problems back in the ’30s seemed to center around unpredictable stability at high speed. Have you run tests at 80 or 100 kts at ground level with the prototypes to determine if you have a like problem at high speeds?
No. 5 — January 31st, 2010 at 8:12 am
I have to agree with Josh. I am very disappointed that these haven’t got to general distribution yet. Hopefully all the delays in production end up in an improved product, an even more populous price point, with a more comprehensive service model.
No. 6 — January 31st, 2010 at 8:19 am
Not wanting to leave b4 adding a more constructive comment…The cargo area appears to pretty good. However, if you could add a bit of vertical depthe to the area directly behind and to the passenger side of the font seats, I can envision anchors for a child seat(s) in a “2+1/2(or2/3)” configuration.
No. 7 — January 31st, 2010 at 12:13 pm
Hi,
I may have missed it, I’m about 180something on your list of buyers for the hybrid model. When do you think my car would be available?
Thanks much,
Frank Freitas
No. 8 — January 31st, 2010 at 3:48 pm
I too have been evangelizing your product [almost vaporware] for about 2 years, but you have yet to launch. Are you taking advantage of every Federal assist possible available to you to get these things launched, not just in California, but across the Nation as well? I f you would like some help, I’ve got a proven track record and would gladly join your Team.
Scott, Seattle Washington
No. 9 — January 31st, 2010 at 10:32 pm
is this car out yet, if not will it be out by the end of 2011 because thats when im getting my licence, and i live in oregon, so if its not out in oregon would i be able to buy one in california and bring it back to oregon?
No. 10 — February 1st, 2010 at 5:50 pm
I am still waiting and I believe in your team and in the vision!!!I will give up when you say no way to the car…I commute 93 miles one way per day and I can’t wait for your release. I want to paint mine candy apple red. Is that possible? I am committed and I hope and pray that you guys are too.
No. 11 — February 1st, 2010 at 9:08 pm
PLEASE Make them and sell them !!
No. 12 — February 13th, 2010 at 3:43 am
You guys might want to hurry up and sell this thing. I ran across this vehicle a little over a year ago and was astounded. I immediately wanted to buy the electric model, but soon found out i couldn’t both because it hasn’t been released yet and because i live in New Mexico(we’ve got little else but sunshine). well I’m waiting for the first electric vehicle to hit a car lot in my neighborhood when it does ill buy it, whether it be a Tesla, a nissan leaf, or an aptera is up to the respective companies. i realize California needs the attention but don forget about all the other potential buyers everywhere else! especially those on the main highway systems.
No. 13 — February 17th, 2010 at 1:44 pm
Just reading all the responses below, both positive and negative. I agree that the faster this vehicle is produced the better. Gas prices in the coming months will rise again to levels seen in 2008 and the media attention will again start focusing on electric cars.
Having worked in the auto production environment before I realize there are numerous “hoops” to jump through before any street legal vehicle can be produced. Hopefully in the comming years Aptera will become more of a reality for California as well as the rest of America. (Although I don’t really think folks in the north are going to buy this car, It’s really not built for snow/ice conditions.)
Keep up the good work, the website is much more informative than it was 18 months ago…when these do become avalible to the public here in Colorado I’ll be a the front of the line waiting for one.
No. 14 — March 1st, 2010 at 1:43 am
I see some people disappointed that they cannot have one yet, but we are reminded by Toyota recently that it is very important to get it right, perfect. Still, I want to cruise one around my town in Palm Desert CA, as a demo model.
No. 15 — March 1st, 2010 at 12:40 pm
The good news is that Nissan will be releasing their electric car later this year (2010). http://www.nissanusa.com/leaf-electric-car/index.jsp
At least as consumers, we will have some choices. Hopefully you will release yours soon, as some of the majors are now stepping up to the plate!
Al the best!
No. 16 — March 10th, 2010 at 2:01 am
I want to just address the comments about the Aptera’s potential performance in snow. I recommend people check out the Tango EV video at YouTube – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhGCLnAPG88. That should put most questions to rest about EV’s and the snow!
Note to Aptera. You have until New Year’s Eve 2010 to deliver a car to a deposit holder or I’m outta here! I put a deposit on a car, I DIDN’T lend you $500 indefinitely. I want a car from you, not empty rhetoric!
No. 17 — March 10th, 2010 at 10:57 am
I have, or should I say had, a reminder that popped up once a month so I could look for updated information about the car but I deleted the reminder. The first time I saw the car (in popular mechanics) I wanted one and then when I heard about the hybrid I wanted one even more. But after patiently waiting for three years with nothing to show for it, I’m moving on, the Model S from Tesla looks to be a superior vehicle anyways.
No. 18 — March 19th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
I would like planning information about how to set up my garage.
Can you make public the foot print of the car? A map of the maximum excursion of Butt line vs station would be very nice.
Bill
No. 19 — April 13th, 2010 at 1:00 pm
My old web site had a picture of me with the first of my beloved (2) EV1’s. Like another ‘post-er’ I would love to get my hands on an Aptera 2e by the end of 2010. Also, would like to see LiON batteries for a little better range. My NiMH EV1 got 100-120 miles, much better than the Pb acid @ 60-80 miles per charge.
Doesn’t look realistic to get an Aptera this year but I’ll keep my hopes up, & wish you the best of luck.
Until then, I’ll continue driving in the HOV lane in my 2008 Honda Civic GX (natural gas).
No. 20 — May 12th, 2010 at 12:02 pm
We also complained not only about ingress/egress and headroom but also about vehicle width. My 70 year old California home (and those of my neighbors) has garage opening less than 84 inches. Your current vehicle will not fit.
No. 21 — June 2nd, 2010 at 5:20 am
Like many of those who commented before–I immediately fell in love with your car. What really sank my heart was when I found the projected range is only 100 miles. How can this be? With all the hoopla about how efficient it is, how sleek and aerodynamic, you need something more than an anemic 100 mile range. The only way people will pick your car over the LEAF is if you get the range up (other than buying it for looks) to 300 or so. I am very sad
Game over.