Carlsbad’s electric motorcycle company Aptera isn’t just messing around with all that “C” round money. They’re aiming right for the top, especially with their new hire of Paul Wilbur as president and chief executive officer.
Wilbur is an automotive industry veteran who brings 26 years of extensive automotive experience, ranging from product planning and finance to marketing and product development for leading car companies such as Ford and Chrysler. Most recently, Wilbur was the president and CEO of Detroit-based American Specialty Cars, a tier-1 supplier of open air and convertible roof systems and Saleen, a leading manufacturer of high performance specialty cars and trucks.
But the big question being asked in automotive circles is what has happened to former CEO and founder Steve Fambro? According to the Up To Speed blog in the LA Times: “Fambro will become chief technical officer, since “it is a much better role for him to concentrate on vehicle development.”
Right. And Up To Speed points out that the same thing that happened to Tesla Motors‘ founder Martin Eberhard. He was moved to a position called “president of technology.” Then four months later he left the company entirely.
Hmm. . . .
[Link: Up To Speed]
Aptera(TM) Hires Seasoned Auto Executive Paul Wilbur as Its New President and CEO
Automotive Expert to Lead Growth Strategy as Company Prepares for a 2009 Rollout
CARLSBAD, Calif., Sept 03, 2008 — Aptera Motors announced today that, after a thorough search, the company has hired Paul Wilbur as its president and chief executive officer. Wilbur is an automotive industry veteran who brings 26 years of extensive automotive experience, ranging from product planning and finance to marketing and product development for leading car companies such as Ford and Chrysler. Most recently, Wilbur was the president and CEO of Detroit-based American Specialty Cars, a tier-1 supplier of open air and convertible roof systems and Saleen, a leading manufacturer of high performance specialty cars and trucks.
“We have searched long and hard for exactly the right leader to help us fulfill the promise of this vehicle,” stated Steve Fambro, co-founder and chief technical officer of Aptera. “Paul Wilbur is that leader. His hands-on style and wide-ranging automotive experience will be invaluable as we move from design and development into the manufacturing and distribution phase. His reputation as a consummate car guy and a leading-edge automotive thinker are also qualities we wanted in our new CEO.”
Wilbur joined Aptera effective August 25, 2008 at their technical center in Carlsbad, California. Near term production and distribution will be predominantly based in California, although long term plans for high volume assembly locations have not been finalized. Aptera is starting to work with a few southern U.S. states for a high volume assembly plant location.
“The chance to join the Aptera team at a time like this is a wonderful opportunity,” stated Wilbur. “Aptera Motors is a company built on the belief that dramatically rising energy costs, combined with escalating global environmental concerns, will challenge the automotive industry and create an unprecedented opportunity for a revolutionary new kind of vehicle. I don’t know of any vehicle currently in development, world-wide, that matches the game-changing possibilities of Aptera.”
After closing its series C funding round, Aptera is now in the process of building a high powered, laser-focused product team to not only develop new products, but to also change the world’s mindset towards automotive efficiency.
About Aptera Motors, Inc.
Aptera’s goal is to revolutionize the way a vehicle moves through the air and dramatically reduces the energy needed to move people from point A to point B. The Company is currently developing an ultra-efficient, passenger vehicle combining the lowest possible aerodynamic drag, super strong and light weight composites combined with highly-efficient propulsion systems and will begin initial production before the end of 2008. The first vehicle is an all-electric, two-seat passenger version with a range of up to 120 miles per charge. Future variants will be capable of delivering up to 300 mpg. California residents can reserve a vehicle now by placing a fully refundable $500 deposit at our website. The company is backed by Idealab and Google, Inc., among others. To join our efficiency revolution, please visit us at http://www.aptera.com.
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