According to Paul Wilbur, Aptera CEO, the development of the 2e “has been outpacing the rate of fundraising.” “Aptera’s production and delivery will be tied directly to funding,” Wilbur told the New York Times.
“I’m as disappointed as any of our depositors and loyal followers around the country that we’re delaying initial production. There’s no one who’s more anxious than we are to put the 2e on the road," Wilbur said in a statement quoted by the source.
According to the CEO, the company's co-founder, Chris Anthony, has found something better to do with his time and will leave Aptera. Additionally, an unknown number of employees had to be let go.
"Anthony is stepping aside from day-to-day activities to concentrate on his two other companies, Epic Boats and Flux Power,” Wilbur said. Even more, the second co-founder, Steve Fambro, will take "a short leave of absence and will re-engage with the company in the new year.”
The news of Aptera's problems comes somewhat as an unexpected one. The manufacturer's biggest problem, the lack of government funding for three-wheeled vehicles seemed to have been solved back in October, when the US Congress passed a new piece of legislation allowing for the funding.
“Aptera management is being a prudent steward of all resources to ensure future viability for the company and strong returns for its stakeholders,” Wilbur said.
“Therefore, we’ll begin volume production vehicles once our current series of private funding has closed or when we secure financing through the Department of Energy’s Advanced Technology Vehicle loan program, whichever comes first."
Google News