Do you believe the Aptera press release?

[Matthijs]

I made this post yesterday:

P.S.
- I totally believe Steve when he says he is on vacation.
You know something, I have read the press release a couple of times now, and I am at the point where I may believe those words aren't even from Steve. They are just Spoken by PW trough Steve's name to beat himself on the chest.

"We've got to be wholly focused on funding and getting the first 2e on the road. But according to the Wired article Chris and Steve had Plans to get the cars to depositors ASAP.
"Paul's leadership and (chief engineer) Tom Reichenbach's talent have led to changes in the vehicle that are spot-on. And then read the Wired article again:
"That might have been the first sign of a rift between the founders and the new team. It seemed apparent Wilbur’s team quickly decided the vehicle Fambro and Anthony deemed ready for production was not fit for the “real world.”
Would Steve have really said the changes are "spot-on"? I strongly believe not.

They've made the vehicle safer, it's better handling and more comfortable. Once we get through this stage, we'll begin mass producing the 2e – the most aerodynamic and efficient vehicle in the world." Like I said before, I think Steve won't be around after it. And the rest is just making sure he gets some feathers up his .... through Steve, now we wait until January and the new year will start off......well fill that in for yourself.

I strongly believe that the press release is not only a spin, it's also I lie. And I want to be wrong so bad! But I do not think Steve is coming back and I do not believe he said those words in the press release. It's just a way for PW to buy more time and let everyone just sit and wait some more.

I would like to poll this and see what the forum thinks.

[palmer_md]

I strongly believe that the press release is not only a spin, it's also I lie. And I want to be wrong so bad! But I do not think Steve is coming back and I do not believe he said those words in the press release. It's just a way for PW to buy more time and let everyone just sit and wait some more.

I would like to poll this and see what the forum thinks.

http://www.apteraforum.com/showpost.php?p=40136&postcount=15

I believe he is telling the truth about being on vacation. We had this discussion in the thread I've linked above. I don't believe he'll be back. It does not make sense that they would let him go at this critical time unless there was a fight as noted by the news reports (except the popular mechanics piece and the copies of it).

(on a side note there really only seems to be two news reports and all the others are just copies of those two. I believe the one about the boardroom fight by the way).

I think Steve is telling the truth that he is on vacation. I believe he is telling the truth about Paul making improvements to the car (there are probably many small improvements he made related to manufacturing and safety that are very good improvements that we don't even know about). The comment by MM was pretty telling...
"Steve remains a member of the board so he'll never really be ‘gone'," McCammon says

[Matthijs]

In your above post I only read about a termination arrangement, that he will only get if he takes a vacation. But the press release also says:
Aptera's other co-founder, Steve Fambro, who started tinkering with the idea of building an aerodynamic vehicle five years ago, is taking a short leave of absence and will re-engage with the company in the new year.

Do you think PW means Steve remains on the board? The same board that shot him down? Do you believe Steve said the changes were "Spot-on"? If you believe the wired article you should read it again. :)

[SEGsby]

Steve was also quoted as saying we're all "Armchair Quarterbacks", too. Did he really say that to the folks at Popular Mechanics, or was that a lie as well? I tend to think it's real. It would certainly help explain why Aptera's management does not bother to inform deposit holders, fans of the product, their own website, newsletters, blog, twitter, or this forum unless deemed absolutely critical.

Nothing good grows in darkness... Wild speculation is to be expected if no real information is put out to the public for long spans of time. One reaps what one sows.

But I think the timing of events speaks volumes, regardless. The most critical moment before production begins, when Aptera needs funds & POSITIVE FUND RAISING PR most-- they just seem to be idling down when there is still a new prototype to get out the door and flaunt for investors... be they private, or reps from the US Governement.

It only makes sense if you're resolved to fail, IMHO. :aptera:

[Matthijs]

The most critical moment before production begins, when Aptera needs funds & POSITIVE FUND RAISING PR most-- they just seem to be idling down when there is still a new prototype to get out the door and flaunt for investors... be they private, or reps from the US Governement.
Also something almost no one responded to is this:

Aptera CEO Paul Wilbur says the company doesn’t need federal aid to kickstart its already-delayed production (http://earth2tech.com/2009/01/07/aptera-pushing-electric-vehicle-production-to-end-of-2009/) later this year, but the loans would help accelerate its expansion.

So September 14 all is well and money is not a problem 2 months and 4 days later the money is gone?

[garygid]

I have no way of knowing the truth, so it is not helpful to speculate.

The big question is:
What can be done so that the Aptera we love be saved and produced instead of "Tuckered"?

[randyd]

I have no way of knowing the truth, so it is not helpful to speculate.

The big question is:
What can be done so that the Aptera we love be saved and produced instead of "Tuckered"?
Thanks Gary.

Let's all keep our eyes on the prize, folks.

[NeilBlanchard]

Right Gary, I am much more concerned with how and when the situation will be fixed -- I think that Mr. Wilbur has done a lousy job, so far, at guiding the Aptera 2e to production. And no matter what has happened up until this point -- how does this amazing vehicle come to fruition?

My take is that the biggest mistake that Mr. Wilbur and the others have made is to assume that they need to be like GM in order to succeed -- that they need to set up a production line before they build any vehicles.

I think the contrary is true: they should start from the place they are at: they should build the latest design with the resources they have right now: surely they have enough know how and passion to build it in a short time?

Start production by building one 2e -- and deliver it to Bill Gross. Build another and drive it to Washington, and then sell it to the #1 deposit holder. And so on -- they will learn as they go as to what are the actual issues they need to solve as they move to volume production.

Get this gorgeous vehicle into people's hands, and onto the roads! EVERY OTHER DRIVER on those roads will sit up and notice it! If Aptera can do this in the next say 6 weeks, then they will have met the spirit of their promise. And they will calm most if not all the angst that has come up recently. And they will start to make positive progress towards what we all want: the investors and the buyers and the company all want the Aptera 2e to be built, and owned, and driven, and to succeed.

[aptera1213]

true dat...(i've been meaning to make a post about how we can, rightly, be upset...but being upset by itself ain't getting no cars in our garages--if they fit in our garages that is ;) )

aptera needs to have some cars on the road (and giving #1 through #5 to the customers in D.C. with the White House in the background would be an amazing photo op...expensive, but possibly worth it?)

i see some talk about how aptera can't make a low number of cars by hand and make any money...and this is absolutely 100% true...

but the first few cars have to be made at a loss...that is how almost every company works...get a product out at a loss. get demand up. make more cars and the costs come down as production ramps up....after a bit, profit.

aptera has to be willing to lose a bit of money at first to make money in the 2nd year....

but again, either aptera works at a loss for a year but actually makes cars that get in peoples hands, or aptera works at a slightly less of a loss for a year and makes no cars and folds (a car company that produces no cars for sale can not survive---unless you are zap :) )

aptera has worked at a loss for the last 2 years...it will work at a loss this next year no matter what...so make some cars while you slog toward profitability

[Apt3448]

A press release is always a mixture of fact and spin, serving the needs of the company. I would like PW and MM admitting they did a lousy job - which seems a reasonable interpretation as there are no Aptera's on the street or in my driveway. But that is not what a press release is for. I sure hope the BOD is demanding some falling-on-the-sword, as I'm deeply disappointed, and more apprehensive then ever if Aptera's will ever be made.

I'm with Gary and some others here: we know few details. No doubt a shake-up like this is ugly and painful. in retrospect, perhaps it was avoidable (that is what makes us so frustrated), but assuming that all would have worked out if only Steve was leading the company is just wishful thinking: we don't know. Perhaps PW was the right person to make the DOE loan possible. And perhaps PW was not the right person for some internal aspects of the company.
In the end Aptera is just another company: they are trying to make it work, do some things right, but make also some potentially lethal blunders. A smal company has very little room for mistakes. A management shake-up follows, emotions boil over and nobody takes responsibility. Welcome to reality. The thrill is gone (now that was a sad song...), but I still hope Aptera will bring vehicles to the market. There is just nothing more promising out there.

PS: To give context for how little room Aptera has for mistakes, consider that Nissan "took out $1.6 billion in loans from the U.S. Department of Energy to revamp its factory in Smyrna, Tenn., for Leaf production" http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-nissan-leaf14-2009nov14,0,6555931.story
Most car companies don't have to worry about loosing 24 M$. Aptera is a start-up, and the little ones are rather susceptible to the flu...

[Anthony]

Yes Paul Wilbur made a excellent press release and Steve will be back in the new Year.
Which option do I vote on if I think Paul Wilbur made a terrible press release and Steve will be back in the new Year?

[Matthijs]

I will add that option thanks Anthony.

[Apt3448]

Which option do I vote on if I think Paul Wilbur made a terrible press release and Steve will be back in the new Year?

HUH? Anthony, you're quoting me, but I never said that, did I??