Lock-in and Build # on another queue?

[Rosso]

I seem to recall reading there were 4,000 depositors; however I just took the plunge a couple weeks ago and was given a Build Number in the 1800's. I am not "locked-in" yet.
Are the Locked-in's placed in another queue perhaps?
Why the discrepancy in #'s ?
Am I really set for a build in the 4,000's ?

I don't really care so much; just curious.

[javan]

Rosso, did you request an all-electric model (2-e) or a hybrid model? This might help explain the different numbers. Jim

[Ardie3301]

Rosso,

In the short video in the "Another Short Aptera Test Drive @ TED" thread, the driver (Steve Fambro) mentions that Aptera has about 4,000 pre-ordered.

However, I don't think that they have 4,000 model 2e's pre-ordered, but some 4,000 signups on the pre-order list, which includes both the 2e (all-electric) and the 2h (hybrid) vehicles. Aptera plans to also build a 2g (gasoline) version, but there have been no prototypes, models, or concept drawings that we have seen.

Right now, all we see are the ancient Mk-0 (as a museum piece in the Aptera shop photos and early promo shots), the Mk-1 (nicknamed Zen and is the sideview mirror-less rear-wheel drive machine also at the TED conference for show), and the only public version of the 2e, which has the side view mirrors and front wheel drive. There was a diesel powered prototype about a year ago, but Aptera has not made any announcement about using a diesel engine.

So your purchase option number (1800-ish) shows that you are 18XXth in line to be offered a 2e to buy. Locking in doesn't change your number, it just confirms that you *do* turn your deposit into a non-refundable one, which tells Aptera you really mean business.

So, your next question will probably be: "When will that be?"
Good question. But nobody here has that answer.

We suspect that Aptera will make good on their prediction of beginning to build production 2es come October 2009, and we will probably forgive them if it slides a bit, but there are several folks here that will get rather cranky if they slip past, say, Thanksgiving (2009).

Production rates is a complete guess, but current wild fantasies are that Aptera will start out with a production rate of somewhere around 1-2 a day for the first month or two, and then ramp up to around 10-20 a day, and possibly churning out as many as 50 a day (or more!), depending on demand once the public actually sees it isn't just smoke and mirrors. So a number in the 1800's probably means that your number will come up somewhere around the last quarter of 2010.

Welcome to the club. Take a chair, and begin a long wait punctuated by heated arguments and frustrated attempts to wring information out of Aptera's PR department. (95% of the info we have now was released in the past week.)

Oh. If you are on the list for a 2h, then the plans and scheduling becomes even more speculative, as we haven't seen a 2h prototype yet, so we don't have a clue as to when they might start production of *them*, but they are promising that it will be within a year of the debut of the 2e.

We'll see.

-- Ardie
Waiting just ahead of you at # 1161 for a 2e

[KarenRei]

, but current wild fantasies are that Aptera will start out with a production rate of somewhere around 1-2 a day for the first month or two,

I'd hardly call that "mass production". IMHO. :)

[Rosso]

Thanks Ardie,
No, I'm not worried so much about when it comes.
I'm a patient guy.
I just figure the longer it takes, the better and more refined it (should) get, right?
My Toyota still has a good 100k on it so I've got time; and I have a two-wheel EV until then.

R

[rossasaurus]

So, does lock-in get an earlier delivery of my "e"? or just the discount?

R

[JimmyDreams]

So, does lock-in get an earlier delivery of my "e"? or just the discount?

R

Just your discount. And a Thank You email that us non-lockers don't get.
:thumbsup: