Published May 11, 2012
By Huw Evans
After it ran out of money last year, California based EV startup Aptera Motors closed its doors, with videos being leaked of company assets being systematically destroyed.
However, it now appears that the company may have a future after all; thanks to a newly formed consortium, backed by a Chinese investor.
The company, which comprises Chinese motorcycle and auto firm Jonway Group, along with a number of American minority investors has purchased most of the former assets and will trade under the name Aptera USA.
In addition, it plans to have production of the 2e, which will take place in Santa Rosa Calif. up and running by next year.
The 2e, which sports a composite two-seater body, is technically a self-propelled tricycle, that uses a Remy sourced electric motor and battery system from A123. It’s said to have a range of more than 100 miles on a single charge, with a fuel economy rating of more than 200 miles per gallon. The bodies will actually be manufactured in China, with final assembly taking place in Santa Rosa.
Rick Deringer, the Santa Rosa, Real Estate developer that helped foster the “new” Aptera company, says he plans to open a retail store to sell 2es and have the order books opened within a month (besides the tooling and assets, the new Aptera US also acquired an order list of some 58,000 customers before the original firm went out of business).
Former Aptera Motors marketing manager Marquez McCammon has signed on with the new company and said recently the company is looking to enter other international markets, possibly Europe and even China.
Meanwhile, Deringer says Aptera USA could manufacture as many as 25,000 2es per year and will not be seeking government assistance for funding.
Fox News
