Tesla should buy Aptera as the perfect CT companion

[Ogre]

A Tesla Aptera would be awesome, a perfect robot taxi.

With the power sipping battery, it could go all day just sipping power.

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[Cyberman]

I think the Aptera is a tight looking 3 wheeler. In its best iteration, though, it's like 50 g's. That's a lot of dough for a vehicle that really freaks me out to whether it'll get blown off the road driving next to a semi. It may be too light? JS

 

[John K]

I would prefer Aptera to be a separate successful company.

 

[SparkChaser]

I have driven Morgan three wheeler and they are really low. I loved getting it up on 2 wheels. This seems a bit high CG?
The wheel pants are going to make that a lot less fun.

 

[Ogre]

I would prefer Aptera to be a separate successful company.

I would too…

I like the idea of Tesla buying/ making them because I know they would be rad and survive.

I know they would be rad independent too… just not so sure about surviving.

Ideal would be Tesla partnering with some of these small companies to provide batteries and perhaps JIGA Press time.

 

[John K]

Ideal would be Tesla partnering with some of these small companies to provide batteries and perhaps JIGA Press time.

? GIGA

 

[Cyberman]

The Jig-say is up-say.

 

[Ogre]

? GIGA

Ok Gohn K. I jet it.

 

[Crissa]

I think the Aptera is a tight looking 3 wheeler. In its best iteration, though, it's like 50 g's. That's a lot of dough for a vehicle that really freaks me out to whether it'll get blown off the road driving next to a semi. It may be too light? JS

Good aero means never being blown around.

-Crissa

 

[FutureBoy]

I would too…

I like the idea of Tesla buying/ making them because I know they would be rad and survive.

I know they would be rad independent too… just not so sure about surviving.

Ideal would be Tesla partnering with some of these small companies to provide batteries and perhaps JIGA Press time.

Based on what I'm seeing in the marketplace, there are 3 things I'd like to see Tesla be able to assist some of the smaller companies with (including Aptera).

1. Powertrain Tech: batteries, motors, control systems, and electrical including charging.
2. Auto System Software: Over-the-air updates, navigation, finding charging stations, and gaming.
3. FSD: Once FSD is working and out for Tesla vehicles, I'd like Aptera, Nobe, etc to be able to use it too.

The smaller car companies have enough work to do just getting their interesting small-batch vehicles to market. If they could buy/license those 3 things above, it would really give them a leg up. The chances that any of them will ever grow large enough to compete with Tesla just seems crazy but if Tesla would allow them to utilize some of its expertise, it would help to really standardize the tech, let people be more familiar with their expectations, and provide a simpler path to a viable niche product.

I get that this kind of solution might not come from Tesla any time soon. They have enough on their plate as it is. But in time it would be amazing if this could come to pass.

And yes, in certain circumstances, gigapress utilization might be cool. At the production rates of these smaller vehicles, it might make sense for a group of them to get together and share the expense of some gigapress tech. They might need to license out how to make it work though and the actual formula to use for their components. The way Aptera is designed though I'm not sure how much a gigapress would help. The shell seems to need to be made of something other than aluminum. Not sure if there are any other large parts that would be worth making in a gigapress.

 

[Tinker71]

Aptera has not gone public but is valued at around $500m. I'm not sure that's the highest and best use for Tesla's capital, but I could see Tesla buying a percentage and cooperating in development, service, charging, and supply chain.

Telsa could buy it with bitcoin and get out of that ridiculous investment.

 

[Dids]

I would like to see Tesla not buy Aptera. Not waste money on a prototype which are easy. Not waste batteries on a niche vehicle. I would like Tesla to spend money increasing battery availability and put those batteries in my CT. Am I selfish?

 

[CyberGus]

With the power sipping battery, it could go all day just sipping power.

 

[CyberGus]

I would like to see Tesla not buy Aptera. Not waste money on a prototype which are easy. Not waste batteries on a niche vehicle. I would like Tesla to spend money increasing battery availability and put those batteries in my CT. Am I selfish?

Tesla can multitask.

 

[Tinker71]

I would like to see Tesla not buy Aptera. Not waste money on a prototype which are easy. Not waste batteries on a niche vehicle. I would like Tesla to spend money increasing battery availability and put those batteries in my CT. Am I selfish?

You are selfish but right about the prototype. I think Tesla mostly got out of composites after the Roadster. The wheel motors are a completely different animal as well. Aptera really doesn't have that much to offer.

The batteries will be much smaller so probably not a huge impact to the overall industry battery supply issue.

I initially though about a partnership, but I don't think Tesla would want to adapt to anyone.
A license agreement for the FSD/autopilot would probably make the most sense. Aptera will still need to partner with someone for servicing. Maybe Harley Davison or another motorcycle company?

Still co branding would add credibility to Apterra without hurting Tesla since Tesla doesn't have a product envisioned in the same niche.

I really want Apterra to succeed in volume.

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