Tesla Will Have to Buy Aptera

If Tesla bought Aptera right now they would bury it. Either with delays, or just extra stuff that makes it later to market, or robs it of its efficiency.

If they buy it AFTER its really in production, even if there are only a few thousand driving around. Then I think this may well be the next VW bug.

If we ever get there, I shall order.

I am a huge Aptera fan and about 21,000 on the reservation list. Unfortunately, the Aptera does not qualify for any federal EV discounts because it is an autocycle, not a car, due to having three wheels. Hopefully legislators will correct this oversight and incentivize such an efficient vehicle.

This article is very Tesla-centric.

Aptera is a disruptive company. Aptera will end up buying Tesla, at pennies on the dollar. Not because Aptera needs any of Tesla’s technology, but because that will be the most convenient way for Aptera to expand its manufacturing floor space.

Aptera doesn't have any technology or amazing product that Tesla needs. They probably won't even make it into production before going bankrupt.
You really can't go around quoting those prices either. They haven't been updated in years, and with the recent switch to carbon fiber from Italy, there is just no way.

Why would Tesla buy them? They’re about to announce a $25,000 (before rebates) car of their own. This article makes no sense.

I don't see Tesla buying Aptera. Tesla needs another vehicle manufacturer to use their plug design to get the federal grant money. If Tesla buys Aptera then the NACS would still be a one company plug

Just mentioning Tesla gets Aptera vast exposure in the media.

Therefore, it is possible that the Accelerator program will continue to reach the $20,000,000 milestone, then Aptera can obtain the matching government funds necessary to go into production.

Do I think Tesla would buy Aptera? You bet, I see that being a no-brainer with Tesla buying all of the Aptera IP once Aptera declares bankruptcy in 18-24 months after securing enough funding to start production.

I don’t think the owners of Aptera are interested in selling. It was their dream once before and it was taken away by investors. They gave reacquired their dream and you don’t give up a dream twice.
Aptera has a philosophy that Tesla would never tolerate: right to repair. Half of the pre-orders including mine would instantly drop their orders if Tesla was in charge. Today, you still can’t buy a new door handle to replace your own even in a 2012 Tesla. To me, this is a travesty!

Your argument is really not compelling at all. Perhaps you should try reporting elsewhere?

Yeah, you should really correct that comment about Aptera qualifying for the EV tax credit. Aptera doesn't (currently) and it makes a pretty big difference in the math.

Just wait for Aptera's inevitable bankruptcy, then Tesla could buy whatever parts of the company they might want for pennies on the dollar.

Apteras have two motors in all vehicles at least as they are in the wheels. A three motor AWD is an option.

All Apteras have solar panels. Hood and rear hatch panels are an optional upgrade.

I don't see any guidance that suggests the Aptera qualifies for the federal tax credit. Technically, it's a motorcycle and ineligible for the electric car credit...

Nope. Tesla is in a completely different class of competition.i bet those folks who invested in Aptera are hopeful but the customers are not the same. The solar charging is nice but not efficiently quick and most folks will put that on their house. Even HOAs will eventually update their own infrastructure for EVs as time goes on. Most folks are not comfortable sitting in a vehicle with three wheels, something that falls short of 4 wheel vehicle regulations and requirements. It can be the safest thing around but at these prices, people are still going to either buy ICE vehicles or EVs with more wheels and range and all the fun stuff like trunk space, full or self driving, etc. If anything Elon would buy the IP but not the vehicles. And, his manufacturing process is so different that he would just reinvent the 3 wheel vehicle altogether at his gigfactory. For now, there's no strong demand and I bet those Aptera investors are worried.

You dont seem to be very well informed or you just didn't do your homework. First of all ALL Aptera's have at least two motors. Three in the AWD version. Second, at the moment, they do NOT qualify for the federal rebate but that may change soon. Third, the reason they are much less than a Tesla is because they are not a car, they are and autocycle. This exempts them from many regulations and enables them to build a less expensive vehicle. The vehicle itself is probably one of the safest constructed vehicles on the road, so dont think that just because they are exempt they are not safe. One last thing. There are no dealers. You buy directly from Aptera and deliver to your door. This saves a ton of money but also presents an issue with some states that dont allow the sale of a motor vehicle without a dealership located in the state. This is being worked out now. Please next time, vet your work.

Unfortunately 3 wheeled vehicles do not qualify for the $7,500 federal tax credit. So you need to remove that aspect from your equation. I don't see aptera doing anything Tesla couldn't do if they wanted. I also think as battery density improves efficiency will matter less. My Rivian R1T is far less efficient than my model 3, but has significantly greater range. We're selling the 3 and keeping the R1T. Sorry but I actually think the entire premise of this article is wrong. Good clickbait though and is have a bit of suspicion this article was written by AI.

Tesla could come out with their own for less then buying and it will look much better

No. Not gonna happen. Aptera is a niche product and a pretty good chance it will go bankrupt. It is comparable to Acrimoto and look how they are doing.

I don't see Tesla buying Aptera, or Aptera buying Tesla. But I could easily see Tesla investing in Aptera to further their goal to "accelerate the world's transition to sustainable energy" which fully aligns with Aptera's similar goals. Aptera employs unique technologies like in-wheel motors, extreme aerodynamics, a carbon fiber frame, and solar power assist, none of which Tesla uses, or will likely adopt soon. And because of the Aptera's unique design and engineering, they do not need Tesla to buy the company. However, Aptera would benefit from an alliance with Tesla for things like their Octovalve/cooling system, 4680 batteries, and Autopilot/FSD. Plus of course it would only be good to have Tesla's investment funding to help start Aptera's production. Tesla is likely already in communication with Aptera to work out Supercharger access, because Aptera will ship with the NACS charging connector, and is an ideal charge partner because the Aptera uses so little electricity that they will rarely need to plug in. The first (Launch Edition) Aptera will come with the full solar package, which can provide up to 40 miles additional range per day. And it will have around 400 miles of battery-only range. It will have 3 in-wheel electric motors, for all wheel drive, and a 0-60MPH time of around 4 seconds, all for around $33K as equipped. I wouldn't count on federal subsidies for Aptera just yet, because 2 and 3 wheeled EVs were excluded in the latest federal (Inflation Reduction plan). But I hope that they do reconsider to help promote American-built, affordable and super efficient EVs.

Jeremy:

Some errors in your article have been pointed out in other comments (number of motors, solar panel options, tax credit eligibility, etc.), but they don't change the fundamental argument you're trying to make.

I think that Aptera's enamoration with Tesla is interesting (in addition to adopting Tesla's charging technology, Aptera's founders and engineers have praised Tesla's spartan dashboard design and use of a steering yoke, among other things). I have seen no evidence of interest the other way around, however.

I'm sure that Tesla has noticed Aptera -- it is Aptera's use of Tesla's charging plug that makes Tesla eligible for federal dollars for their EV charging stations -- but I have not seen any evidence of their interest in purchasing the company or its technologies. Personally, I think that a partnership is a more likely scenario; perhaps Tesla even investing in a percentage ownership of Aptera.

From Aptera's end, I think an outright sale to Tesla is also unlikely. Aptera has previously gone bankrupt and it's founders eventually bought back the IP rights to re-pursue their dream. I don't foresee them giving it up easily.

Aptera's biggest challenge will be to create a scalable manufacturing model that can ramp up from niche novelty car (a-la the revamped DMC DeLorean) to mass market vehicle (the next "VW bug"?) if demand is there. They will also have to diversify their selection beyond just options for an extra motor, extra solar cells, and a bigger battery, to offering distinctly different vehicles. They have mentioned future plans to offer a more conventional 4-wheel vehicle, perhaps they will expand to SUV and truck models as well. While I'm sure they will keep the focus on efficiency and maximizing solar charging, these vehicles will necessarily be less efficient than their current design.

I am excited about the Aptera and can't wait for them to be offered here on the east coast (perhaps by 2024-25?). I would love to see the car and company take off and become the next "people's car", but there are a lot of ifs and buts to tackle before that happens. Tesla's purchasing Aptera is one of those *ifs*, *but* I don't see that as likely.

Utter, Utter, utter rubbish. Your the one who fills Armens head full of crap. If you knew anything about Tesla you would already know that Elon would never entertain a 3 wheeler. He has been pressured a lot on Twitter about Arcimoto and dismissed it because they are death traps.