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Well the 335i vs 335d is a difference of only 10 mpg...sure it sounds great to say 30% more efficient, but thats something people care about in daily drivers, n

by vaksel 17y ago

Well the 335i vs 335d is a difference of only 10 mpg...sure it sounds great to say 30% more efficient, but thats something people care about in daily drivers, not the weekend toys. And yes the LSx would be a better choice, I was just giving the example of the 335i just because its another bmw engine. I just don't believe that there are that many green gearheads to gamble the stake of the company on. Not when you have people running test pipes just to get a few extra horsepower. Yes people want a good looking car, yes they want to have great performance, as far as the keying thing that pretty much never happens. The only times I heard of cars getting keyed involved a bat shit crazy ex girlfriend. The thing is, why not offer the LSx as manufacturer installed option. In the build stage it makes pretty much zero difference on what engine to put in. Give the people the choice. Same goes for SEMA, you'll get much friendlier coverage if the demo model has a real engine under the hood. If you do, the coverage will focus on the car company. If you choose to use the 335d engine, the coverage will focus on ridiculing the engine choice. Its just too easy of a target. I'll take your word about the mixed use thing, since I couldn't really find anything about it. But I don't think its as easy as you are hoping for it to be. I mean, its pretty much impossible to import a car from Japan or Europe and make it road legal. Well like I said its not really my segment, I like to stick to tarmac. And yeah Tesla and Fisker have invested a ton more money, but lets face it, they are doing a completely different thing since their cars are electric. And require a much larger support system, + they've actually finished their cars. And there is no reason to scrap the thing, something like this(although a little meaner looking) would probably do quiet well in a place like Dubai. How did you actually pick this thing over some of the other designs? I mean I honestly can't see anyone picking this thing if they had other choices that included super cars. You sure you didn't get spammed by the designer using a bunch of proxies? And there is nothing wrong with taking risks, it just seems like in this situation, you are taking it for no apparent reason. I mean lets face it, with 2,000 cars, you could build a copy of Pontiac Aztec, and still sell your full inventory over a few years. So why start out in a market with zero mainstream appeal? Why not think long term? Instead of building a car for a tiny market, build something for the mainstream enthusiast. Instead of targeting the few thousand offroaders, target the millions of sports car enthusiasts. There is plenty of space for a U.S. version of TVR. And the $45K-75K sport coupe market is pretty bare. Plenty of opportunity to enter with an exotic looking limited production super car that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Dunno about joining the site, maybe when you add the general message board, where it'll be more of a real discussion and not just a commenting system to a bunch of photoshops.

AriFerreira 17y ago
Sorry for the delay, Vaskel! Had a bit of traveling to do these past few days. I went from Chicago to Atlanta for my Father's wedding - what a to-do, great fun. (TMI? :) ) In our eyes 10mpg is a huge savings. Couple that with efficiency gains by utilizing lightweight materials, and boost that with a clean diesel with reduced emissions; for Local Motors, this is the way to move forward. We are not looking for a one-time solution and we will get better as time goes on. With each step, with each vehicle we can only hope to improve with each iteration. Your views are well heard, and we are aware that many share your views on the type of engine which would be easiest to use and manipulate. If we have made a mistake and the 335d is too difficult, the Rally Fighter is fit for 2 other engine opitons - among those is a plain ol' gasoline engine. Not our favorite option, but we do hear you. Laughed about the bat shit crazy ex girlfriend. Thank you for that :) Your words, "Give the people a choice" hits home. The open development process at local-motors.com is exactly that - a forum for participation and choice. While we can digest what you say in this space, the votes of our community members and dedicated participants are the votes and voices we follow. We want your voice to be heard. If you would prefer to wait for a vehicle that is more personal, one that you would use and have a personal vested interest in, I understand. I don't think the desert racing segment is your cup o' tea. But your opinion is so valuable, so consider yourself invited to take part. RE: "zero mainstream appeal", the segment is certainly limited and the choice is intentional. This is a segment in which we could build a product to have very clear improvements over anything else on the market. A segment that is already building cars, and a segment that is passionate like you wouldn't believe. We will build cars for the tarmac, for Jersey - but we will not, not, not build cars for the masses. Please everyone, and you will eventually please no one. The future of exciting products and cars is niche and supported by a hands-on experience. Again, time will tell as to whether we are "right". I hope you will stay close so we can hash out this conversation again as we grow, and as new niche local markets make their desires known. I also want to note that I think all of your notes on the US auto industry and market potential are more or less right on. There is space for not only more cars in the segments you mentioned, there is also room for more car companies. I agree with you. Trust that we have done our "homework", and our business model is viable on a local level w/ limited production for niche markets. The changes you are suggesting we make ("build for mainstream enthusiast", "target millions") would make us un-local motors - and that is not our goal. This company and community is focused on creating a unique local experience for local enthusiasts. Your suggestions & strategy may be viable, but it is not local. Thanks again! Ariel Ferreira aferreira@local-motors.com

by vaksel 17y ago

AriFerreira 17y ago

Sorry for the delay, Vaskel! Had a bit of traveling to do these past few days. I went from Chicago to Atlanta for my Father's wedding - what a to-do, great fun. (TMI? :) ) In our eyes 10mpg is a huge savings. Couple that with efficiency gains by utilizing lightweight materials, and boost that with a clean diesel with reduced emissions; for Local Motors, this is the way to move forward. We are not looking for a one-time solution and we will get better as time goes on. With each step, with each vehicle we can only hope to improve with each iteration. Your views are well heard, and we are aware that many share your views on the type of engine which would be easiest to use and manipulate. If we have made a mistake and the 335d is too difficult, the Rally Fighter is fit for 2 other engine opitons - among those is a plain ol' gasoline engine. Not our favorite option, but we do hear you. Laughed about the bat shit crazy ex girlfriend. Thank you for that :) Your words, "Give the people a choice" hits home. The open development process at local-motors.com is exactly that - a forum for participation and choice. While we can digest what you say in this space, the votes of our community members and dedicated participants are the votes and voices we follow. We want your voice to be heard. If you would prefer to wait for a vehicle that is more personal, one that you would use and have a personal vested interest in, I understand. I don't think the desert racing segment is your cup o' tea. But your opinion is so valuable, so consider yourself invited to take part. RE: "zero mainstream appeal", the segment is certainly limited and the choice is intentional. This is a segment in which we could build a product to have very clear improvements over anything else on the market. A segment that is already building cars, and a segment that is passionate like you wouldn't believe. We will build cars for the tarmac, for Jersey - but we will not, not, not build cars for the masses. Please everyone, and you will eventually please no one. The future of exciting products and cars is niche and supported by a hands-on experience. Again, time will tell as to whether we are "right". I hope you will stay close so we can hash out this conversation again as we grow, and as new niche local markets make their desires known. I also want to note that I think all of your notes on the US auto industry and market potential are more or less right on. There is space for not only more cars in the segments you mentioned, there is also room for more car companies. I agree with you. Trust that we have done our "homework", and our business model is viable on a local level w/ limited production for niche markets. The changes you are suggesting we make ("build for mainstream enthusiast", "target millions") would make us un-local motors - and that is not our goal. This company and community is focused on creating a unique local experience for local enthusiasts. Your suggestions & strategy may be viable, but it is not local. Thanks again! Ariel Ferreira aferreira@local-motors.com