Neil Hannermann New Aptera VP of Program Management

[admin]

Big name coming to Aptera guys!

While specialty electric car makers Tesla and Fisker seem to be embroiled in legal controversy (http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/4259796.html?series=19), rival Aptera has kept its plug-in nose squeaky clean since we took an exclusive test drive (http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/4237853.html?series=19) of the prototype Typ-1 e—set for release toward the end of this year. In a move to be announced tomorrow, the Carlsbad, Calif., startup will reveal another big piece to its 100-plus-mpg puzzle.

Neil Hannemann, who’s been at the helm of some of Detroit’s most exciting small-vehicle programs over the last three decades, will become Aptera’s senior vice president of program management and manufacturing. After a stint building race engines at General Motors, Hannemann ran the Dodge Viper and NASCAR programs for Chrysler (http://www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/automotive_news/4260376.html#). And while he then led Ford’s GT development—probably one of the industry’s coolest gigs at that time—Hanneman said he was ready to “change the face of personal transportation” beyond exotics. (The Typ-1 e is expected to cost around $30,000.)

One wouldn’t expect supercars (http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/4217681.html) and high-mileage alternative vehicles (http://www.popularmechanics.com/drivegreen) to have much in common—not so. Rides like the Typ-1 are essentially eco-friendly supercars in their own right, with performance envelopes just as extreme as, say, a Ford GT. It’s just that instead of top speeds and 11-second 1/4-mile times, eco supercars outgun the masses in terms of fuel economy. The all-electric Typ-1 e could deliver as much as 120 miles per charge, with the hybrid model said to hit 300 (http://www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/automotive_news/4260376.html#) mpg. We can’t wait to test a production model in the run-up to the Automotive X Prize (http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/4255349.html?series=19). —Ben Stewart

[Aptera #1159]

Big name coming to Aptera guys!

Can anyone give us some history on the guy?:confused:

[admin]

The Ford GT team was given two mandates when the program was approved last May - deliver three production cars for the Centennial and take on the best in the world. The team quickly translated the second mission into take on Ferrari.

Neil Hannemann, Ford GT chief program engineer, took on these lofty assignments after years of experience with supercars and racecars. Hannemann worked on the Dodge Viper program during his 18-year Chrysler career, and then moved onto other high-performance projects, most recently working on the Saleen S7 supercar.

"I've worked on some cool stuff during my career, but now I'm finally working on the ultimate American sports car, a car that can take on the world's best … the Ford GT," says Hannemann. "After working on this car for a year, I've come to realize the Viper is in a different class. The Ford GT is a real supercar, that's why we're going after Ferrari ... again"

"We only have one competitive car in our fleet, that's the Ferrari 360 Modena. When people think about the Ford GT, they picture Ford against Ferrari. We're giving people a chance to bring the 1960's battles of LeMans to the streets of today."
http://media.ford.com/images/large/others/ShelbyNEH2.jpg http://media.ford.com/images/large/others/ShelbyNEH3.jpg
http://media.ford.com/images/large/others/ShelbyNEHinCar.jpg
While on a West Coast testing trip, Neil Hannemann shows one of the first Ford GT prototypes to Carroll Shelby - one of his racing heroes and mentors.
Not only is Hannemann's perspective different now, the engineering tools have changed drastically.

"In the 1980s, we were drawing cars on engineering boards," says Hannemann. "The Ford GT has been designed, engineered and tested almost completely in the digital world. For limited-edition vehicles where you only can build a few prototypes, the first production cars back in the 80's were probably rougher than the Ford GT prototypes we're building right now"

Hannemann's passion for supercars is matched by his track addiction. A three-time SCCA World Challenge champion, he began racing in 1979 driving a Fiat X-1/9 in Southern California autocross events. Most recently, he competed in an October 2000 Petit LeMans race. He recalls several highlights:

"In 1985, I beat Tommy Kendall to win the SCCA endurance series," he says. "Of course, he was only 18 at the time. Actually, I've had many highlights but I have to say I feel very fortunate to have met so many great people like Carroll Shelby who have helped me grow personally and professionally."

His extensive racing career was, for the most part, put on hold in 1999 with the arrival of triplets.

"I guess it was destiny to work on the Ford GT after my wife delivered triplets," Hannemann says, looking forward to delivering the first three production Ford GTs, and getting back on the track soon. "I guess if someone started a Ford GT race team and asked me to drive, I'd have to consider it. My racing resume doesn't end in 2000, it just says 'to be continued…'"

[admin]

Neil Hannemann, Ford GT Chief Program Engineer

When the Ford GT swept first, second and third place at Le Mans in 1966, Neil Hannemann was an 8-year-old stationed with his family an air base outside Everaux, France. Although Hannemann didn't attend the race, he vividly remembers the excitement of an American car dominating the hallowed European race.

Today, Hannemann is developing the spiritual successor to the historic race car. As the chief program engineer for the new Ford GT team, Hannemann is responsible for the design, testing and certification of every aspect of the new Ford supercar, including the chassis, powertrain, body, interior and electrical systems.

Hannemann attended the Air Force Academy and received his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the General Motors Institute. His automotive career started at Chrysler where he worked on the Dodge Viper road car, the Le Mans-winning Viper GTS-R race car and finally as program manager for the Dodge Intrepid Winston Cup program. In 2000, Hannemann moved to Saleen, Inc. as chief engineer for the Saleen S7, a mid-engine, high-performance car.

from: http://www.motorsportscenter.com/article_204.shtml

[Aptera #1159]

So he worked with Ford on the GT program? Cool.:D

[admin]

Yes he did :)

[Aptera #1159]

He should make a great addition to the Aptera Team. Which should now have 16 members, I believe.

[c0mp13x]

Very impressive news and shows Aptera is really serious about making this vehicle a reality.

Hannemann seems like a good fit with all of his design and manufacturing experience with low volume (relative to mass produced cars) exotic vehicles. And, although his experience is primarily with ultra high-performance vehicles, the Aptera presents the modern challenge of a ultra high-efficiency vehicle.

Certainly Hannemann's experience with composites and light weight componentry from both the Ford GT and Saleen S7 programs will translate well to the Aptera's design goal of light weight efficiency.

Thanks for the bios and pics Brian (admin), they were very informative.

Saleen S7
http://www.mistryweb.com/vishal/photos/autoshow/NY_Auto_Show_2003%20006_2.jpg

:)

[DDB]

He should make a great addition to the Aptera Team. Which should now have 16 members, I believe.

Fine and dandy with development of a product. But what will he add? Isn't this product already done and ready to enter in to production? Is he there for the second Aptera model?

[futura]

http://blogs.edmunds.com/GreenCarAdvisor/405

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/fortune/0804/gallery.great_green_ideas.fortune/

They all seem to go with the $30k number. I wonder if Aptera is encouraging that "marker". In the full print Fortune article, in addition to the "around $30k price" they say the first production run will be 1300 vehicles for SoCal only and that Aptera is already "sold out". I emailed the author at Fortune for more info about this.
Fine and dandy with development of a product. But what will he add? Isn't this product already done and ready to enter in to production? Is he there for the second Aptera model?
The Edmunds article quotes Anthony: Hannemann's expertise in bringing specialty vehicles to market for major automakers and for specialty companies solves "a major piece of the puzzle for Aptera," said company co-founder Chris Anthony.
So it seems they want Hannemann to bring Aptera to market not design/development.

Cheers.

[DDB]

http://blogs.edmunds.com/GreenCarAdvisor/405

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/fortune/0804/gallery.great_green_ideas.fortune/

They all seem to go with the $30k number. I wonder if Aptera is encouraging that "marker". In the full print Fortune article, in addition to the "around $30k price" they say the first production run will be 1300 vehicles for SoCal only and that Aptera is already "sold out". I emailed the author at Fortune for more info about this.

The Edmunds article quotes Anthony: Hannemann's expertise in bringing specialty vehicles to market for major automakers and for specialty companies solves "a major piece of the puzzle for Aptera," said company co-founder Chris Anthony.
So it seems they want Hannemann to bring Aptera to market not design/development.

Cheers.

It seems to me all Aptera needs is star power then. Why not promise Brad Pitt or Al Gore a free Aptera if they do some marketing. Serioiusly, this vehicle needs a face. Perhaps an engineer would help, but I really don't think so. There's enough pencil pushers that are backing this thing already. STAR POWER seems to push society today, as pathetic as that sounds.

[futura]

http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20080423005330&newsLang=en

"bringing ... vehicles to market"; "knowledge in aerodynamics and alternative materials" seem to be the focus.

Cheers

[gg222]

I see he's been added to the Aptera.com web site under the Management tab.

[admin]

It seems to me all Aptera needs is star power then. Why not promise Brad Pitt or Al Gore a free Aptera if they do some marketing. Serioiusly, this vehicle needs a face. Perhaps an engineer would help, but I really don't think so. There's enough pencil pushers that are backing this thing already. STAR POWER seems to push society today, as pathetic as that sounds.

You gotta admit that its pretty impressive to already get deposits to sell 1800+ vehicles without a penny spent on marketing already. This might be something that sells itself. Why dish out the extra dough when you can let the car market itself?

[KarenRei]

They could probably get star power for cheap the same way BMW does with their Hydrogen 7 -- donate them to stars.

[DDB]

You gotta admit that its pretty impressive to already get deposits to sell 1800+ vehicles without a penny spent on marketing already. This might be something that sells itself. Why dish out the extra dough when you can let the car market itself?

I don't disagree it's impressive. But then why hire Neil Hannermann, if marketing is the primary motive? Credibility?

[DDB]

They could probably get star power for cheap the same way BMW does with their Hydrogen 7 -- donate them to stars.


You could probably sell one to: Tom Hanks, George Clooney, Gov. Arnold, and others, without having to give them away. What I'm referring to is a real face- person. Maybe someone that is trendy, green, and not necessarily a fad. Someone willing to go on the record. How about Martin Eberhard? Just kidding.

[SpyderMike]

He should make a great addition to the Aptera Team. Which should now have 16 members, I believe.


16 members and four of them Directors, VPs and Founder(President)..alot of chiefs...where are the production folks?

[organic]

16 members and four of them Directors, VPs and Founder(President)..alot of chiefs...where are the production folks?


Well it's Southern CA...Cheap labor is the easy part. 70% of the work be fiberglass. Mindless filling of molds.

[SpyderMike]

Well it's Southern CA...Cheap labor is the easy part.

I would have to disagree unless you are talking illegal immigrants. So Cal is not the cheapest of labor regions. Now, maybe if subassemblies are made south of the border...

I doubt the remaining 12 people can put together one car a week with everything else it takes to run a business.

It looks like they are hiring at least one more composite tech.

[n_dawg]

You gotta admit that its pretty impressive to already get deposits to sell 1800+ vehicles without a penny spent on marketing already.

Not true. (http://apteraforum.com/showthread.php?t=530) They've most certainly spent money on PR/marketing.

[johnvall]

[Hannemann seems like a good fit with all of his design and manufacturing experience with low volume (relative to mass produced cars) exotic vehicles. And, although his experience is primarily with ultra high-performance vehicles, the Aptera presents the modern challenge of a ultra high-efficiency vehicle.

Certainly Hannemann's experience with composites and light weight componentry from both the Ford GT and Saleen S7 programs will translate well to the Aptera's design goal of light weight efficiency.

I do not agree with your statement, high-perrformance, such as the Ford Gt and the Saleen depart of what an Aptera is, this people from Detroit, with a preformed mentality in my humble opinion don't fit what the future of battery power, high millage cars is.
I hope his contribution will be a positive one. Lets give this gentlemen the benefit of a doubt. I think, we have to wait a see.

[evolutionmovement]

I think a good engineer would relish the new challenge. Everybody and their grandmother can (and seems to) shoehorn a big engine in a generic swoopy supercar body made of carbonfiber and it's just boring. I'm a car guy from way back, but these cars lose all purpose when you get your license and realize just how useless supercars are. Who wouldn't want to be part of something new and different unless they lacked the talent?

[SpyderMike]

I'm a car guy from way back, but these cars lose all purpose when you get your license and realize just how useless supercars are.

ouch, if your a car guy, you would probably have a big grin after driving one of these cars. It most likely wouldn't be your primary vehicle, so the only purpose is the enjoyment factor, and it would probably be the most fun to drive of all your cars. Trust me.

[evolutionmovement]

I know I don't like them. I originally wrote a long rant about the disappointing reality of them (complimenting only the Pagani for its build quality and craftsmanship), but I'll save you. Looking at them is about all I enjoy.

Impracticality does nothing for me nor do I necessarily like too much attention (at least not the kind you get in a supercar). The Aptera may get lots of attention, but it's polarizing in a good way - it weeds out the cavemen I'd rather not talk to.

It's like when I won a gocart as a kid and all summer before the end of the raffle I dreamed of driving all over the place in the thing. Then I won it and realized I couldn't drive it around like a real car. No, I'd take a manual steering 2-door 1984 Subaru GL with an EJ22 transplant and rwd I can jump islands with, make a space in Boston when some jerk takes up two, go down the occasional dirt road, not worry about being vandalized or damaged, and enjoy driving at all speeds.

To each their own.

[futura]

A little more about the Hannermann hire.

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080424/FREE/171455714/1024/SEARCH

Hannemann, who gets the title of senior vice president, said he plans to have an active role in daily operations at Aptera and will work on refinement of the Typ-1 as it nears production. Though his focus is now fuel range rather than lap times, Hannemann expects a smooth transition to electric vehicles.

"It's not as dramatic as you think," he said. "I've always done small-volume work. Performance is still performance."
...I suppose; but a $200k supercar requires different trades than a $30k commuter car.

Cheers.

[DHercyk]

Living with Ed guy Ed Begley Jr would seem like a worthy addition to the Aptera team. Imagine a Living with Ed show with Ed test driving the Aptera. I bet his wife wouldn't roll her eyes at him over this car.