Local Motors details plans for street-legal 3-D car

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. -- Local Motors, the Arizona start-up company that uses 3-D printing technology to make cars, said it plans to have a street-legal two-seat coupe ready for sale to consumers by the third quarter of 2017.Justin Fishkin, the company’s chief strategy officer, detailed the company's plans today at the CAR Management Briefing Seminars. The company has been making news over the past year with its 3-D manufacturing demonstrations at auto shows. If the company meets its goal, it would beat tremendous odds. Most automakers spend at least three years to design, develop, test and certify a new vehicle for production.Local Motors, funded by 40 private investors, has an unusual business model by industry standards. It plans to use a proprietary body made of “carbon fiber infused plastic” that is constructed by a 3-D printer. The device works a bit like an inkjet printer -- it sprays on layers of the material to build the body.Fishkin said the car’s mechanical components -- the suspension system, powertrain, electronics and safety equipment -- would be sourced from suppliers who are already mass producing these parts for other vehicles.“We’re talking and making deals with suppliers right now. We’re like Legos. We’re taking parts off the shelf. We’re getting good deals because people want to be part of this vehicle,” he said.The goal is to sell the car, called the Strati, to consumers for between $18,000 and $30,000, depending on the optional equipment chosen by the buyer. The company plans to produce the cars in dozens of local factories. Fishkin said once the 3-D printer makes the body, it would take two men about 90 minutes to completely assemble the car.Mass-produced automobiles in standard factories can require as much as 18 hours to assemble. That includes welding all the body panels, installing the powertrain, interior, electronics, safety equipment, suspension, brakes, painting and testing. Fishkin said the 3-D car will meet all safety and emissions standards on the books and would be equipped with such things as airbags and other equipment required to meet government safety standards.

Local Motors details plans for street-legal 3-D car

Featured Stories