Aptera Hit A Crucial Milestone In Making Its Solar-Powered Car

"After years of delays and multiple crowdfunding campaigns, the California-based startup said it began building validation vehicles on a new validation jig. That's a step up from the prototype stage, and it allows Aptera to figure out how to build the three-wheeled EVs using repeatable procedures, using ready-made parts from suppliers, instead of custom-made components assembled on a workbench. Suppliers have already delivered chassis and body-in-carbon (BiC) panels to Aptera."

"We don't know what the final production line will look like, but in its current state, the validation line revolves around a large-scale precision assembly fixture. It allows workers to easily and precisely put chassis and bodies together, and it ensures that all the vehicles come out looking the same. If something goes wrong during the assembly process, engineers and designers can see what happened and take steps to fix the issue before customer vehicles start taking shape."

"The company said the validation assembly line lays the foundation for its low-volume production line at the company's facility in Southern California. The keyword here is low-volume, so don't expect a huge plant with miles and miles of automated lines. This is a small operation, but there's nothing wrong with that, as long as reservation holders and investors get their money's worth."

Aptera has started building validation vehicles on a new validation jig and assembly line to transition from prototype workbench builds to repeatable production processes. Suppliers have delivered chassis and body-in-carbon (BiC) panels, enabling assembly from ready-made components rather than custom parts. The validation line uses a large-scale precision assembly fixture to align chassis and bodies consistently and to reveal process issues that engineers can correct before customer vehicles are produced. The setup establishes the foundation for a low-volume production line at the Southern California facility and emphasizes controlled, small-scale manufacturing for reservation holders and investors.

Read at insideevs.com