Apterans to Mothership: Phone home!
2010 Aptera 2e – Click above for high-res image gallery
Apparently, all is not well in Aptera Motors fandom land. After something of a sustained burst in marketing and promotional appearances earlier this year that included a visit to TED and to Washington D.C., it seems a recent lack of announcements and unresponsiveness to customer emails is leading some Apterans to begin stressing big time about what is up with the company that's supposed to begin building their first model, the all-electric 2e, this autumn. Their internet home, the Aptera Forum, has been sprouting threads full of apprehension and expressing doubts that the road-going craft will even make it to market. Even if it does, there are worries about the windows rolling down, the range for regular drivers and whether the final production version will look like an expecting inverted orca. One alleged anguished Apteran even wrote us saying, "I emailed them a few times and never heard anything back. I'm thinking about getting my deposit back. They have stopped all communication to reservations holders... Not a good sign to me."
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.See? They say that all really is well and they've just been a little busy with the task of starting up a brand new automotive company. Have a little patience, please. We only hope that among these upcoming announcements is the unveiling of the finally final, officially official production version of the two-seater. With windows that roll down. Tip of the hat to Ashley!
Gallery: Aptera 2e
[Source: Aptera Motors]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
FitFan 9:43PM (7/27/2009)
"we will have some important announcements to make during the next few months"
Wow. That would not reassure me at all if I were waiting to hear back about my vehicle. You can't launch a company that does 99% of its communication on the internet and then suddenly decide that you're not going to respond to customer emails.
Where there's smoke, there's fire.
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rubberpill 10:01PM (7/27/2009)
I almost hope this design nightmare does not make it to market. It is time to show the world that EVs do not have to be ugly jokes like this. My money is with Coda, other than the ugly grill, it is a solid car.
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CaramelZappa 11:28PM (7/27/2009)
You wouldn't want to see cars on the road that look like they're straight out of "The Jetsons"?
KK 12:20AM (7/28/2009)
To each his/her own, I guess. I personally think the Aptera looks great. The Coda doesn't look very efficient (aerodynamic), and I don't want to pay for more batteries than necessary just so I can have a "normal-looking" car.
Besides, didn't the Prius already demonstrate that customers WANT their "green" cars to look different and unconventional?
Sasparilla 10:34PM (7/27/2009)
Uhmmm, better put on your "corporate speak" thinking cap here:
"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."
In the corporate world this could mean:
We're running out of money and we're desperately flying around the country meeting with any potential investor - as we're broke. In fact we've had to lay off the people who handle emailings to our security depositors - you know things are bad when we're not keeping up with the people who gave us money. The result is that while we haven't secured any new sources of funding at this point, we hope to have major investment deals secured in the coming months, although at this point we're flying by a wing and a prayer.
This message would not make me feel secure at all - no business says they're in trouble until after they have filed for Chapter 7/11. If I was worried about my deposit, I'd yank it now - if you can. If I wasn't worried (and could afford to kiss it off), then I'd let it ride.
JMHO...
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Throwback 8:28AM (7/28/2009)
Exactly! What they are saying is "We need money so we are out beating the bushes. We hope to be able to tell you about all of our new investors in a few months."
This from company that is supposed to deliver the first car in a few months. Has anyone tried to get their money back?
Drake 12:08PM (7/28/2009)
Reminds me of the scene from Animal House where Kevin Bacon is standing in front of an oncoming rush of people saying "All is well, all is well....". And then he gets trampled.
inspectorudy 2:18PM (7/28/2009)
The first thing that is puzzeling is the small group of executives. Where the hell are the large group of laborers? The second thing is that as fuel prices fall so does the demand for e-cars. This is a basic law of economics. Most people do not want to be "Greenies", they just want to get from A to B efficently and safely. I actually went so far as to buy an electric conversion kit for a small car last year but as I got deeper into it I realized it made no sense. I came to the conclusion that one gallon of gas, weighing about 8 lbs., in my car without the conversion would take me 35 miles at 55 mph. The same car with 1,100 lbs of batteries would take me about 30 miles at 55 mph. This is a no brainer! Forget all the talk about cost per KW hr versus gas prices. You will need new batteries in about three years and the cost is all at once, not spread out over a three year period. You can forget A/C in the summer and decent heat in the winter. All of these things will be solved someday but for now they are expensive.
alfredholzheu 11:04PM (7/27/2009)
My most current email from Aptera
****************************
You guys still alive?
Alfred
On Wed, Jan 14, 2009 at 5:14 PM, family wrote:
- Show quoted text -
Hi Alfred,
Thank you for your request to lock in and your continued support with Aptera Motors!
You have been successfully added to the lock in list.
Best Regards,
ray segismar | aptera
customer service representative
carlsbad, ca 92010
http://www.aptera.com
This electronic mail is intended to be received and read only by certain individuals. It may contain information that is confidential, attorney-client privileged or protected from disclosure by law. If it has been misdirected, or if you suspect you have received this in error, please notify me by replying and then delete both the message and reply. Thank you.
No employee or agent of Aptera Motors, Inc. ("Aptera") is authorized to conclude any legally binding agreement by email. Agreements with Aptera must be confirmed in writing in a definitive agreement signed by a duly authorized representative of Aptera or through a purchase orders issued by Aptera. Any specifications, requirements, or unit or sales volume numbers provided to suppliers are estimates only and are not commitments by Aptera.
From: alfredholzheu@gmail.com [mailto:alfredholzheu@gmail.com] On Behalf Of Alfred Holzheu
Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2009 7:17 PM
To: family
Subject: I would like to Lock-in
I would like to Lock-in
Alfred Holzheu
For some reason I can not find my new Aptera Reservation Number. It was originally in the 1100, but was changed when I opted for the all-electric model.
Thanks
Alfred Holzheu
alfred@holzheu.com
"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing."
Albert Einstein
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Forward
Recover from Trash
Alfred Holzheu
You guys still alive?
Jul 25 (3 days ago)
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|
family
to Alfred
show details 1:18 PM (6 hours ago)
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Follow up message
Hi Alfred,
We are in the process of producing vehicles that will go through internal and external evaluation for fit, finish, performance and durability. Volume production and delivery will begin in the 4th quarter of this year for the Aptera 2e. We will provide a build schedule closer to the production launch of the 2e. We will provide more details and announcements. in regards to the Aptera 2h following the production launch of the 2e.
Thank you for your interest in Aptera!
Best Regards,
ray segismar | aptera
carlsbad, ca 92010
Reply
Nick P. 12:40AM (7/28/2009)
These guys had a chance back in 2007 when Tesla hadn't delivered anything, the Volt was just a showroom prototype and Nissan hadn't yet entered the game.
Once Aptera is gone, we will have shed away this idea of EVs as unpractical toys for eccentrics.
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polo 2:23AM (7/28/2009)
Please.
The Aptera is to EVs what the Hummer is to SUVs. Its pure to its form and isn't shy about about flaunting it. There will always be a viable niche market for these types of products, and the success of other cars like the Volt or Model S will actually make the Aptera more marketable and profitable as industry-wide battery production bring costs down and charging stations become more widespread.
gulags 1:33AM (7/28/2009)
Huh. I'm a little surprised to see this, since it seemed like they were actually ready to roll things out a few months ago. They probably could have already had vehicles on the road if they had gone with the 2g petrol model instead of the 2e. It'll be a little sad to see them go.
But, to their credit, at least they tried, which can't be said for most of the EV groups. The one that still stings was the whole Venture Vehicles/whatevertheycallthemselvesnow fiasco. All that money and all they ever showed off was some pieces of metal welded together. I guess the rest went up their noses, who knows.
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polo 2:33AM (7/28/2009)
It looks like they had one guy handling customer emails and he's been let go or given a new position as they work on a different way of interacting with contacts. To me it looks more sensational that it probably is. Think about how many other companies that don't have anything more than photoshopped pics are all over the internet. If they were actually "silently" folding they'd have staff waiting at the computer for emails, because they wouldn't have anything else to do.
Ray 2:39AM (7/28/2009)
The reason it is ugly is because it is designed for arrow dynamics, the windshield wiper on most cars causes as much coefficient drag as this whole vehicle.
The egg main shape is for safety. They really didn't make this car for looks. Strictly practical. I admire them for it.
Big deal, so the people put down a deposit, it does not mean Aptera has to constantly hold there hands. You would be surprised at the bazaar questions potential EV owners ask and how many questions they come up with. They can't hire enough personnel to answer all the morons questions. I know I was a moron once.
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GoodCheer 7:07PM (7/28/2009)
I agree. Some of the questions that get posted on aptera.com have answers that are right there for people to read. People just want to be spoon fed everything.
Sean C 2:47AM (7/28/2009)
I think thethe Aptera is a rockin car and I love their focus on efficiecy and safety. I don't necessarily see it as a mainstream automobile just yet as it is only a 2 seater and is meant as a commuter car. They're rethinking everything about how a car should look and be built and I for one applaud them. I'm in Seattle so I can't get one yet but I hope they succeed long enough to make it up here. I'm glad to see so much EV competition. From what I've seen so far I think the company has taken a very smart and conservative approach during tough economic times. You people are SO pessimistic!
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Paul Scott 8:28AM (7/28/2009)
It astounds me to read negative comments about a start up EV company from people who claim to be environmentalists.
It's damn hard to start up a car company from scratch. Wishing Aptera ill because you don't like the looks of the vehicle is not going to do anyone any good. If you prefer the Coda to the Aptera, buy a Coda. But you should all wish the best for every EV company that makes the attempt to get plug-in cars on the road.
We have massive problems in the world that stem from our use of oil. Global climate change is probably the worst, but spending hundreds of billions for foreign oil and endangering our national security are certainly high on the list.
We need every singe EV that we can get. Whether you like the looks of the Aptera or not, it doesn't matter. Not all cars are going to please every person. But, for every plug-in car that replaces an internal combustion car your air will be cleaner, your economy will be stronger and your nation will be safer. Let's stop with the bashing of this company and do everything we can to make it successful for those who do want one.
I can't wait for the day when I see my first Aptera gliding down the 405. Same with the first Coda, Nissan, Volt and anything else that doesn't pollute the air I breathe.
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Mark Kiernan 9:34AM (7/28/2009)
It is a fantastic car and looks wonderful. They can't be having too many problems as they are only selling in CA on launch.
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Steve Martin 9:57AM (7/28/2009)
The new newsletter is at http://www.aptera.com/newsletter072709/
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RAN 10:23AM (7/28/2009)
Sigh, more drama... another company goes silent just when they should be blowing their own horns. How long, oh Lord, how long?
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