Aptera changes continue with the founders really gone (mostly)

Photo courtesy Aptera

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It's not uncommon for startup companies to face difficult periods.   Especially rare are those startup companies in the auto (or near-auto) business who make it all the way to stable financial footing.  So as much one wants to root for Aptera (Go Aptera!  Go!) the odds are against them.  Especially with the apparent financial meltdown they're undergoing.  With that it isn't surprising to learn that Aptera's founders are now no longer involved in day-day operations.

Aptera has resumed sending out the monthly newsletters which were suspended during most of 2009.  The Jan 30, 2010 newsletter included a suspected announcement that the co-founders Steve Fambro and Chris Anthony would no longer be directly involved in Aptera's operations, and that instead they would stay in the board room.  As they put it: Aptera founder to lead from the boardroom while pursuing new ventures.

"With the team of tech innovators and automotive management that (co-founder) Chris Anthony and I have gathered, I'm confident Aptera is well-positioned to complete the job that lies ahead,"  said Fambro.  "I have many other 'efficient' ideas that I would like to develop and I intend to refocus my time on bringing those ideas to life... All I can say now is stay tuned."

Also announced was the departure of David Oakley, the VP of Manufacturing.  He joined Aptera during the same Sept 2008 period, following the google.org investment, and which saw the direction change following the hiring of Paul Wilbur and others.  According to the company he laid the groundwork for their manufacturing process, and developed their supply relationship with Energetx.

On a positive note the newsletter goes on to explain some milestones they have achieved.  The first is they are "just days away from taking delivery of our first design-intent 2-series body from Energetx."  The other milestone is having passed the first Technical Deliverable in the Xprize competition.  The first and second technical deliverables are high level reviews by the Xprize judges of the vehicle's fundamental technology systems.   In these reviews, high levels of scrutiny are placed on safety and control systems to ensure that all competitors are putting the well-being of the occupants as first priority. 

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