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Aptera Update Videos
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Aptera Update Videos
updated 3 weeks, 2 days ago
49 Members
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128
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Some interesting tidbits in the December update.
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Based on what was said in the video going into production in 2023 is impossible. Way too much work left to do and that’s if they manage to secure funding…
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So it looks like they MIGHT be able to begin production in 2024 at the earliest (most likely mid to late 2024; 2023 will be devoted to building and testing the Delta design then tweaking it to fix what ever fails government testing.
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It is very good. I like how they show the new body design. I notice that now they have two belly pans. Also a jack point is shown.
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Did I hear that right? Aptera is going to be assembled in Modena Italy?
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@Uncle Dirt That’s what was said but I’m not certain that’s what was meant: The body panels will be CREATED in Modena and then shipped to Carlsbad, CA, for assembly, once production begins.
I believe they were talking about partially assembling the Delta prototypes in Modena so that they can be close-at-hand to the equipment creating the parts in case adjustments need to be made.
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At time 2:57, they mention raising institutional investment of up to $200M. I hope this is not how much money they need.
At time 2:34 they show the Republic fund raising of up to $41.27M. Is this how much money they need yet?
At time 3:03 they talk of raising money via government grants and loans and say “and we should be seeing the fruits of our labors very soon”. This sounds as if they are very confident of this type of funding.
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> “At time 2:57, they mention raising institutional investment of up to $200M. I hope this is not how much money they need.”
I suspect it is the money needed to open up new local factories (perhaps east coast / Canada / Europe / Taiwan / …). $200m should be enough for a couple of them.
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The still picture of the video shown and is not shown in the video once played. The carbon fiber rear hatch shows a diamond pattern with each diamond being raised in the center. Do the solar cells attach to this only in the center of the cell with the four corners free to “float”?
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@Pistonboy Delux Remember that the individual cells are encapsulated within a nine-layer lamination to form the exterior solar panels of the vehicle. It may very well be that the diamond-bump pattern is there to provide stiffness and that the solar panel attaches around the edges, providing an air gap between the panel and the CF hatch for heat dissipation. If you study the hood (bonnet) CF frame, you’ll see that there would seem to be a similar attachment strategy in play.
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There’s still the promise of seeing the Delta renderings on or before December 31…
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A February update:
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The launch mode might help get to that 4 s 0-60 promised in the specs.
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Another investor webinar snippet turned into an update video:
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Some more investor webinar footage re-packaged as an update – this time on the battery pack and drivetrain:
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Chris and Steve checking on the progress at CPC:
Accelerator Exclusive Production Update From Chris and Steve – YouTube
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Hmm. 8 minutes per piece. That’s up to 180 Aptera parts per day per press. Very good scalability.
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A couple of months ago I was getting a bad feeling that an Aptera would never appear in my driveway. After today’s webinar, I am feeling better. I think the guys have a way ahead that makes sense and should (should…..) get funded.
👍
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While your first sentence doesn’t apply to me, the rest of what you say does. Every step we hear from Chirs and Steves as they approach production gives me renewed confidence they will succeed.
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The webinar today:
Production Tooling Progress | Live Webinar – YouTube
The two noteworthy mentions were that it now weighs 2200lbs and the ATVM loan has been submitted. Apple Car Play being a possibility might please some.
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The 2200lb remark also made my ears perk up. (It’s right at the 50 minute mark for those interested.)
However, I wonder if that’s just the max expected weight for the larger battery pack version rather than a new higher weight estimate for the 400-mile-range launch edition.
This spec sheet that Aptera published on their website in 2021 lists vehicle weight as 1,800-2,200 lbs, which seems to suggest the former. (It also lists Delivery Timing as 2022, so there’s that.) 😛
https://aptera.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Aptera-Product-Sheet.pdf
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The 1000 mi variant hasn’t even been designed yet – not sure that Chris would have that in mind when he mentioned the weight. We know that the weight went up with the new frame design (Steve mentioned that is some interview months ago) and we can sorta assume all the numbers Chris would mention would be for the LE.
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The best news was an application for a very large Government loan is finally in.
Some numbers mentioned were worrisome. 30% inflation? Accelerator raising 30 million dollars? And, the still missing 50 million dollar whale to start production. Could take awhile without that loan.
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I think the update was fantastic and I believe these discussions go a long way to bring engagement and optimism as well as attract more investment. I have a few thoughts on how these could be more effective in that regard. I would highly recommend spacing smaller amounts of this information rather than a 1 hour session after a busy draught. Steve and Chris are busy, so rather than have another drought, I think a recorded and edited session of an hour worth of valuable information can be organized by the marketing team in 15 minute increments over 2-3 weeks. These can be released even while people are traveling. Each session is a dose of sugar regardless of the length. More releases could mean more exposure, especially if the community is passing the word on in their videos and posts. In addition, I think the Marketing team could solicit and sense questions the community most wants before a recording session as another form of engagement and have Steve and Chris record their answers vs. trying to do it live on the fly.
I was super excited about a number of things discussed today. Not only was I happy to hear Aptera is in discussions on Carplay, but their explanation why was excellent. It makes no sense to develop navigational and infotainment software. Other OEMs pulling away from those tools have not learned their lesson that they cannot compete with the upgradability of the cellphone with proprietary software. Too many of us have been burned on expensive navigational systems that quickly became obsolete and won’t forget it.
The CPC progress is energizing, but the ATVM loan submission is great news! Super exciting! I also think their comments on Accelerator progress was uplifting as some of us weren’t sure how well it meets their needs.
The discussion on costs and pricing were good too. It helps to understand what is in play and how they are thinking about it.
As far as big investors, I am not sure what to make of that yet.
Each of these topics could be a digestible 15 minute focus update and I think it would satiate the community over multiple touch points for a month.
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Unlike rivian ( one of our 4 ev’s) Aptera is right on offering one color and no options.
Rivian forum is abuzz with many waiting for the 400 mi pack – $12,000 more , indefinite wait, and 900 lb more = diminishing return!
And 3 wheel/tire choices and 12 colors. Please!?
Webinar mentioned weight.
We’d be happy with the lighter Aptera 250 and NO DCFC.
Simpler, longer lasting, less weight, less space consumption
Just our two cents
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summary, there is zero chance of production before late 2024 and likely it will be in 2025 all wrapped up with a very significant price increase.
that they only now have sufficient documentation to submit their Federal Loan request pretty much indicates all previous claims of production being imminent were not true.
The real disappointment is absolutely no announcement of investment after all that time in Europe and attending FTE and that dumb remark again about needing an inspired billionaire.
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Re: Tesla Supercharger access…
Chris’s answer to the question about whether Apteras would be able to use *any* Supercharger was quite disappointing. (At the 46 minute mark in the video.)
I was under no illusion that Aptera would have an agreement worked out with Tesla for Supercharger access with their native plug this early in the game, but I was hopeful that that was the end goal that Aptera was working towards and aiming for. Instead, Chris’s answer sounds like that’s not even being explored, and probably the only way Apteras would be able to use Superchargers would be to use the new ones with the CCS2 magic dock and then use a separate CCS2->Tesla adapter. (I.e., 2 adapters back to back.)
Also, his comment about charging 5 times faster at a Supercharger than a Tesla was a real head scratcher. Anyone have any idea what the heck he was talking about? (If my math is right, he’s off by a factor of 10 in terms of mph, assuming 50kW and 100Wh/mi results in 500 mph vs the Model 3’s >1,000 mph.)
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Hopefully the amount of supercharger access is still in flux but with a CCS adapter it will be manageable regardless. Obviously Tesla wants to claim to open its network for grants but still keep its moat largely intact.
Pretty sure he said “other EVs” and was thinking of those with slow DCFC like the bolt.
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No, he said “…the Tesla next to you…”:
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This reply was modified 11 months, 3 weeks ago by
Dennis Swaney. Reason: Added screenshot with captioning
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This reply was modified 11 months, 3 weeks ago by
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Agree with Big Sky.
Aptera, if you are listening, please please please package smaller videos. Only the diehards want to watch a full hour. (I was thrilled to.)
I’d go even further than Big Sky. Film 2-5 minute clips. Take all the questions asked in the webinar and/or keep pushing for more on social media, and have Steve and/or Chris just answer 1 question for 1 video.
Those short videos would keep people interested and give us content to share around. I can send my friends the hour video, but none of them will watch.
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Not directly from Aptera, but an interview with Chris Anthony a few days after the May webinar. Not much new but an interesting pivot toward commercial sales at around 6:50:
APTERA: Conversation with Chris Anthony | May 2023 – YouTube
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The update:
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Great update! Production intent vehicles in a couple of months.
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Highlights:
0:33 Render of internal aluminum chassis and suspensions components
0:43 Forged fiberglass external (lower side) body panels
0:47 Forged carbon fiber door internal structural panels
1:15 Validation-ready solar panels
1:30 Announcement of CA tax exemption award
2:13 Render of body panel assembly
2:21 Render of latest version of interior design
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I enjoyed the video, particularly the part with the doors. Then on my way home from work this afternoon I saw one of those Slingshots on the highway, and I started thinking about how cool it will be to be seen in an Aptera… it’s getting closer all the time!
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New video released!
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Impressive and well made! A commitment to provide a monthly update as in the past. Hope they stick to it. High level tasks to complete validation, but no time frame for completing the tasks. Not unexpected as things are “Fluid” still at this point with capital still unknown. 60% complete on body part stamping dyes at this point. A little disappointing. 40% is a relatively long way to go with only a couple of months before the holidays. would liked to have seen a similar status on the Elaphe customized motors the other major long lead time dependency. perhaps in the next update. Would like to see a Gantt Chart showing the relative % complete on each of the major tasks to get an idea of how progressing on each of these areas.
