Like Laura and Paul, Marques too arrived from the ruins of Saleen. He replaced Tony Kirton, who once stated, “We understand deeply that our customers will make this brand. They will own it. And we will do our utmost to respect that at all times.” The marketing operation didn’t always run smoothly under Tony, but that could be in part because part of his work for the company was as a volunteer.
But if things occasionally didn’t run smoothly under Tony, they fell apart under Marques. Two “monthly” newsletters have been released in the past year. Three “Daily Charge” blog entries that weren’t from the July newsletter were posted in the past six months. The comments section on the website has been broken for months, despite repeated bug reports. In fact, the only recent time updates to the website were noticed was a ham-fisted attempt to hide bad news from the site’s RSS feed by hard-coding a link to their press release as the only story and removing the code to rotate stories. Apparently news reports of dwindling cash reserves, boardroom fights, the ouster of the founders, of a staff that has dwindled from around a hundred to closer to twenty are what it takes.
In a recent poll of what Aptera Forum members thought of Marques’ communications operation, the results were running 59 to 2 against it. And of those two, at least one was cast because the person agreed a bad job had been done but they didn’t expect a good job.
It’s hard to understand why the communication was so bad. But if the company felt that those with pre-orders weren’t worth the time of even a newsletter and that they needed to only focus on investors, they shot themselves in the foot. At least half a dozen pre-orders, and probably many more, are held by people at VC firms. Who knows how many could have been potential angel investors. Like the Tesla Roadster, the vehicle seems to have caught the eye of many in the Silicon Valley tech crowd. But who would put their money in a company that can’t handle a monthly newsletter?
When the ax fell the last time around, something was different. An anonymous employee began liveblogging the blow-by-blow:
“Paul Wilbur has just sacrificed the company to line his own pockets. Crap, I’m crying.”
“This is exactly what he did to Saleen. Why did they hire him with a history like that? I’ll never understand.”
“He’s marching around the place like a peacock and firing everyone. The design still needs work to make production numbers. What is he doing?”
“Seems to think suspending operations til govt$$ come in will make him a rich man. So sad for Steve Fambro, he’s a great guy being ruined.” (Steve Fambro is the company’s founder, having reportedly sunk over $100,000 of his own money into the company).
“I’m panicked someone like the Chinese could make an offer and Wilbur would take it just to get rich and move onto destroy the next innovation”
“Management directors in a meeting now. Still waiting for the hatchet to finish falling.”
“They’ve just taken the 1st guy into the office. Mood is certainly somber.”
“It looks like they just let Tim Dine go. Wow.” (Tim Dine was the Senior Fabrication Engineer and Fabrication Supervisor, someone so dedicated to the cause that he volunteered at Aptera in it’s early years)
“Chris Anthony got let go. He’ll go back to Epic Wake Boats.” (Chris is the company’s cofounder)
“Yep, They let go Steve, Anthony and Trisha Fambro. Please make sure everyone knows. & keep an eye on Steve. He’ll be back.”
In a seldom-seen occasion, Aptera’s PR machine swung into overdrive. Marques wrote, “We needed to reduce our burn rate on anything not associated with getting a production vehicle out the door.” The release included a quote from Steve, stating “Some folks were let go, and since they hadn’t seen me around—they put two and two together and made a fairly large and incorrect assumption.” The article asserts that Chris voluntarily went on to pursue other business interests and Steve is taking vacation to spend more time with his family.
If they were hoping to silence the issue, the release didn’t achieve its goal. Many commenters on the news articles were skeptical. Andrew wrote, “Marques said the same exact thing last year to the Saleen employees. Top Notch Management Crew over there…” Bacon117 wrote, “Don’t worry Popular Mechanics, my dad has been on vacation since I was 4. It will be ok.” Everywhere the press release was posted, some commenters took the release at its word, but most seemed to consider it a transparent attempt at damage control.
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Karen,
And just think, back in, oh, June I think, you dissed a bunch of commentators who were complaining about Aptera because they had reserved cars and were getting the run around. At that time you defended Aptera when – based on their customer’s outcries – you should have been more critical of the company.It is really sad to read about a good company being ruined by arrogant, incompetent management, but this story is also notable because you should have seen it coming.
Karen,
And just think, back in, oh, June I think, you dissed a bunch of commentators who were complaining about Aptera because they had reserved cars and were getting the run around. At that time you defended Aptera when – based on their customer’s outcries – you should have been more critical of the company.It is really sad to read about a good company being ruined by arrogant, incompetent management, but this story is also notable because you should have seen it coming.
Quite true. I more than gave them the benefit of the doubt for a long time.
If you were part of the Detroit establishment and you were worried about their products being seen as badly out dated, what would you do to beat back the threat?
They seem to have won another battle.
It would seem that good engineering is only a small part of selling vehicles in America.
If you were part of the Detroit establishment and you were worried about their products being seen as badly out dated, what would you do to beat back the threat?
They seem to have won another battle.
It would seem that good engineering is only a small part of selling vehicles in America.
Well-written piece, Karen. I hope to see more information come to light as time passes. Not a story that should be allowed to fade into obscurity.
Well-written piece, Karen. I hope to see more information come to light as time passes. Not a story that should be allowed to fade into obscurity.
Good write up.
Is there a lesson here for other EV start-ups?
Who to blame for hiring these losers when their track records are so questionable? Was it the founders who all just got fired or ‘board members’ who are more than likely investor reps who are probably more clueless than the idiots they hired to wreck the company?
Lets have a roll call and a few interviews with some of the board members who supposedly support the CEOs constant delays!
Good write up.
Is there a lesson here for other EV start-ups?
Who to blame for hiring these losers when their track records are so questionable? Was it the founders who all just got fired or ‘board members’ who are more than likely investor reps who are probably more clueless than the idiots they hired to wreck the company?
Lets have a roll call and a few interviews with some of the board members who supposedly support the CEOs constant delays!
I’ve followed Aptera since almost day 1 very closely. While there is a lot of truth to what your saying here – there’s a lot of incoorect information as well.
1) Google made a significant investment into Aptera and Jay Leno and others have recently done test drives and reviews.
2) Ive been in contact with someone at a local automotive research facility and they claim that Detroit is out to murder Aptera as it seems they pose the first credible threat to them beyond Asia. They will not stop at any length … even paying off employees of Aptera to leak false information or not do their job – sabotaging the company.
3) The state of California needs/wants Aptera to succeed – California is in a mess. It’s bankrupt – it can’t help any business grow at this point. Your story seems to be commentary on California’s economy rather than Aptera’s chances to weather the storm – I mean 2012 – they are facing in CA.
4) While I appreciate your information regarding CEO’s past lives – it is their past. Apple has been caught in similar SEC problems – it usually means nothing more than hard to follow or understand rules and regulations – and or (and mist likely in Apple and Apteras case) sabotage. Just as Dell, Creative, and Acer would love to see Apple put under – so does GM, Chrysler, and Even Toyota for Aptera. Your story hurts Aptera with negative PR. Your story may become a self fulfilling prophecy if it becomes popular enough.
5) From my own experience, getting a product to market or even as small as launching a website requires a gradual education and a lot of setbacks. Aptera has made some mistakes that they could have avoided – but I do think they can recover. Good news has been coming their way.
3)
I’ve followed Aptera since almost day 1 very closely. While there is a lot of truth to what your saying here – there’s a lot of incoorect information as well.
1) Google made a significant investment into Aptera and Jay Leno and others have recently done test drives and reviews.
2) Ive been in contact with someone at a local automotive research facility and they claim that Detroit is out to murder Aptera as it seems they pose the first credible threat to them beyond Asia. They will not stop at any length … even paying off employees of Aptera to leak false information or not do their job – sabotaging the company.
3) The state of California needs/wants Aptera to succeed – California is in a mess. It’s bankrupt – it can’t help any business grow at this point. Your story seems to be commentary on California’s economy rather than Aptera’s chances to weather the storm – I mean 2012 – they are facing in CA.
4) While I appreciate your information regarding CEO’s past lives – it is their past. Apple has been caught in similar SEC problems – it usually means nothing more than hard to follow or understand rules and regulations – and or (and mist likely in Apple and Apteras case) sabotage. Just as Dell, Creative, and Acer would love to see Apple put under – so does GM, Chrysler, and Even Toyota for Aptera. Your story hurts Aptera with negative PR. Your story may become a self fulfilling prophecy if it becomes popular enough.
5) From my own experience, getting a product to market or even as small as launching a website requires a gradual education and a lot of setbacks. Aptera has made some mistakes that they could have avoided – but I do think they can recover. Good news has been coming their way.
3)
Wow, after reading your article and the comments, I think I agree with Rus – this sounds like a Detroit hatchet job. Why would Aptera, knowingly, bring in a bunch of failed management to take them to production? I have to think that they wouldn’t. It sounds to me like Steve Tambron and Chris Anthony were sold a bill of goods by some slick search firm recruiters – the old Trojan Horse scenario.
I hope that Tambron and Anthony are somehow able to cease back control. This car needs to be brought to fruition. Only a moron would think that opening windows are the prime reason that anyone would want this car. How sad…
Wow, after reading your article and the comments, I think I agree with Rus – this sounds like a Detroit hatchet job. Why would Aptera, knowingly, bring in a bunch of failed management to take them to production? I have to think that they wouldn’t. It sounds to me like Steve Tambron and Chris Anthony were sold a bill of goods by some slick search firm recruiters – the old Trojan Horse scenario.
I hope that Tambron and Anthony are somehow able to cease back control. This car needs to be brought to fruition. Only a moron would think that opening windows are the prime reason that anyone would want this car. How sad…
Sounds like the slow painful death we all suffered at Saleen, verbatim
Pathetic…
Sounds like the slow painful death we all suffered at Saleen, verbatim
Pathetic…
Aptera for them is just a toy to play the whole game. if they focus on perfect its workmanship and product performance, then they will suceed. Otherwise, the result is GAME OVER!
Aptera for them is just a toy to play the whole game. if they focus on perfect its workmanship and product performance, then they will suceed. Otherwise, the result is GAME OVER!
SLANT: Knowing what the people from Aptera are going through, I really feel for you.
Rus:
“1) Google made a significant investment into Aptera and Jay Leno and others have recently done test drives and reviews.”
The Google investment was from under the original team — July of 2008. The Jay Leno review was one of the only recent reviews, and it was via a non-production model.
“2) … They will not stop at any length … even paying off employees of Aptera to leak false information or not do their job – sabotaging the company.”
I can guarantee you that is not the case here. Unfortunately, I cannot give you more information than that without revealing sources.
“3) The state of California needs/wants Aptera to succeed – California is in a mess.”
Yes, they do. Which is yet another element to the tragedy here.
“Your story seems to be commentary on California’s economy rather than Aptera’s chances to weather the storm – I mean 2012 – they are facing in CA.”
Fisker, Tesla, and Coda, all California companies, all raised large amounts of money. It has nothing to do with California. Heck, the weak economy in California means cheaper rent and lower salaries. When you leave potential VCs in the dark and don’t even respond to some requests for months, your fundraising efforts are doomed before you start.
“4) While I appreciate your information regarding CEO’s past lives – it is their past. Apple has been caught in similar SEC problems – it usually means nothing more than hard to follow or understand rules and regulations”
It’s not a case of “not understanding the rules and regulations”. The SEC says she spent years making bogus documents listing inventory exchanges as sales to artificially inflate their earnings. She did what Enron did. You’re literally excusing Enron’s behavior. That’s unfathomable to me.
“Your story hurts Aptera with negative PR. Your story may become a self fulfilling prophecy if it becomes popular enough.”
You know, that’s the issue that’s weighed the hardest on me. If you check into my background, I’ve spent a long, long time actively promoting this company. If you want to know how much I want this vehicle, check out this website of mine:
http://www.rechargeamerica.net/trip/
But I have a moral compass, and what’s gone on here is wrong. More wrong than I can even let on because I must protect my sources. And so long as this team is in charge of the company, I have little confidence of the company ever delivering in any relevant quantities. So we’ll likely see one of two things: a reversal of the circumstances that led to the purge, or bankruptcy. Wherein some company will snatch up the wreckage of the company at bargain-basement prices to acquire a pre-made EV company ready to go.
“Good news has been coming their way.”
The light at the end of this tunnel is the headlight of an oncoming train.
Nuke Detroit.
Nuke Detroit.
Nuke Detroit.
Thanks for writing this article! I’m facing similar conflicts whether or not to cancel my pre-order. I’m trying to see how anything good will come out of this situation based on my 20+ years of working in the high-tech industry and all I can see is Aptera going down in flames with the current Board of Directors. The only thing that really communicates to a business is money, so by canceling my reservation along with others would be the only way we can express a vote of “no confidence!” Sorry Steve and Anthony, I loved and believed in what you and your team created, but Aptera as it exists now will never deliver it! So sad!
Thanks for writing this article! I’m facing similar conflicts whether or not to cancel my pre-order. I’m trying to see how anything good will come out of this situation based on my 20+ years of working in the high-tech industry and all I can see is Aptera going down in flames with the current Board of Directors. The only thing that really communicates to a business is money, so by canceling my reservation along with others would be the only way we can express a vote of “no confidence!” Sorry Steve and Anthony, I loved and believed in what you and your team created, but Aptera as it exists now will never deliver it! So sad!
Aptera started out with a great idea, the serial hybrid, and some very well-qualified technicians and ideologues. It CAN be made to work, the idea was sound; the fact that one GM-Delco-Delphi employee is in a key spot is a sign of trouble.
For EVs to work, ALL the incompetent nincompoops who ran the oil-fired car industry into bk must be demoted to working the line, sweeeping the floors, and learning the new business. How long with Rick Wagoner or Bob Lutz, or Fritzy, last cleaning urinals? Not long, being failures.
Putting the same failures in charge of the EV industry means that it won’t work, of course; idiots such as those who wrecked Chrysler are not capable of running a real business or solving real business problems.
Aptera started out with a great idea, the serial hybrid, and some very well-qualified technicians and ideologues. It CAN be made to work, the idea was sound; the fact that one GM-Delco-Delphi employee is in a key spot is a sign of trouble.
For EVs to work, ALL the incompetent nincompoops who ran the oil-fired car industry into bk must be demoted to working the line, sweeeping the floors, and learning the new business. How long with Rick Wagoner or Bob Lutz, or Fritzy, last cleaning urinals? Not long, being failures.
Putting the same failures in charge of the EV industry means that it won’t work, of course; idiots such as those who wrecked Chrysler are not capable of running a real business or solving real business problems.
Knowing the executive actions of the PW and MM team from ASC days, their ‘toy box’ approach to niche vehicle development and manufacturing is so off-base it is hard to fathom that their line of song and dance is still being accepted at high salary rates. Please CA don’t reflect on those two as to “how things are done in Detroit” – too many good people get misrepresented by those two clowns.
Knowing the executive actions of the PW and MM team from ASC days, their ‘toy box’ approach to niche vehicle development and manufacturing is so off-base it is hard to fathom that their line of song and dance is still being accepted at high salary rates. Please CA don’t reflect on those two as to “how things are done in Detroit” – too many good people get misrepresented by those two clowns.
Knowing the executive actions of the PW and MM team from ASC days, their ‘toy box’ approach to niche vehicle development and manufacturing is so off-base it is hard to fathom that their line of song and dance is still being accepted at high salary rates. Please CA don’t reflect on those two as to “how things are done in Detroit” – too many good people get misrepresented by those two clowns.
Aptera and the electrical vehicle industry were doomed when Washington bailed out the Big Three, and Wall Street, hotshot CEOs, and “creative accounting” and “financial innovation” destroyed American business and know-how.
Aptera and the electrical vehicle industry were doomed when Washington bailed out the Big Three, and Wall Street, hotshot CEOs, and “creative accounting” and “financial innovation” destroyed American business and know-how.
I put down a deposit a almost a couple years back and just kinda forgot about it. Looks like it’s time to pull it.
I think you make a really good point. If they can’t write a newsletter then how are they going to produce cars? Not that I even want a newsletter. Just say what you’re going to do and then do it. Just the basics here people.
I put down a deposit a almost a couple years back and just kinda forgot about it. Looks like it’s time to pull it.
I think you make a really good point. If they can’t write a newsletter then how are they going to produce cars? Not that I even want a newsletter. Just say what you’re going to do and then do it. Just the basics here people.
I put down a deposit a almost a couple years back and just kinda forgot about it. Looks like it’s time to pull it.
I think you make a really good point. If they can’t write a newsletter then how are they going to produce cars? Not that I even want a newsletter. Just say what you’re going to do and then do it. Just the basics here people.
man this sucks i remember when it was a concept.
when it came off the bord it was orange and cooly weird.now i fear it,ll go
the way of the tucker.
and that folks would suck.
thanks for the ear.
william mc gowan
It is so sad to see corporate fraud-makers destroy a promising start up so quickly looking only for their personal benefit.
It is so sad to see corporate fraud-makers destroy a promising start up so quickly looking only for their personal benefit.
It is so sad to see corporate fraud-makers destroy a promising start up so quickly looking only for their personal benefit.
Exactly, hasn’t anyone heard the story of Tucker?
Exactly, hasn’t anyone heard the story of Tucker?