Ariel

Production Rally Fighter set to debut at SEMA [video] It's more a desert racer with on-road chops than straight-rally. This is the reason for RWD. Because it's pretty lightweight and powerful you'll find it can rally, too. Ariel (LM!) aferreira@Local-Motors.com

Local Motors Selects First Design Concept to be Built Bremen, That was excellent, and a new video for me. I appreciate this quote from Gladwell, "By embracing the diversity of Human Beings, you will find a true way to happiness". Thank you for the concise and effective synopsis. You're right; we aim to please the few, not the many. I hope those who read this thread will realize that the RF is just the beginning. One thing not mentioned here yet is that Local Motors will satisfy the needs and desires of car enthusiasts in specific local areas. The Rally Fighter is not meant for New York City, it is designed thus far for a place like Southern California, North Carolina or Texas; for dunes, mountains and rolling hills! Gladwell would be proud. We have yet to announce our first Local Motors facility. As the location of the facility is announced, the target market is introduced. Changes will be made to the RF to reflect this very specific group of enthusiast drivers. I will create a Wikipedia entry directly and appreciate the suggestion. I think it is a good time to create an entry for the RF as well. I like the idea of an EV sports wagon! I hope you will chime in to the Design Process on LM. Nurchus, I understand what you're saying. The shock and awe of a new design is fun, if it is an exciting new design. Since we can't have it both ways, we will try something new. We will focus on a key group of people, and we will give them what they want :o)

Local Motors Selects First Design Concept to be Built Nurchus, I appreciate your thought and passion here. You are obviously a car enthusiast who has been paying attention to not only design but the entire automotive industry for a while now. I do not think you're being harsh and if you are, I can handle it! The success of our customer-first, open-door development remains to be seen. It is, at the very least, interesting. When considering our successful predecessors, like Porsche, I can see why you question our desire to include everyone on the process. Any single designer could potentially design an amazing car (in theory, obviously there are some talent variables here). But, it would be a greater task for us to walk into the automotive arena and aim to be exactly like the rest, tight-lipped and secretive, hoping to design the next great car. There are many coach builders doing just this and while some are pretty good they lack a community. This is our other reason for doing things this way. Yes, we want to build cars people want and give the chance to critique during the development process, and we also want to create a community, the direct connection with the customer - and this is what many companies lack and may be the reason many companies (like the ones you mentioned) are a bit out of touch. Still, this does not change the fact that you do not like the RF, and that's ok. But I value your strong opinions and I hope the process alone will intrigue you. Someday we will have a design you love and we will desire someone like you to protect and promote it!

Local Motors Selects First Design Concept to be Built Wow, a lot of comments I've missed! Though I am a huge advocate of the RF (full disclosure, obviously), I have to be honest and open to the idea that it is not going to be for everyone. It is NOT an SUV, excuse my captions but if you look at the estimated dimensions it is clearly a wide stance sports car style body. The canopy is too low to be near SUV proportions. An off-road coupe of this stature has not yet been done, but it is hot (there's that advocacy) and functional in theory. Lower center of gravity plus excellent ground clearance and a wide stance = a climbing, jumping, rally good time. As you said, Joe, some things may change - many times the wheels in initial sketches appear bigger than they will be in actuality, but the scale and aerospace influence of the RF will set it apart and in our minds these characteristics must remain in tact. We do expect it to look like this, but you will notice that we did not distribute a front view since it is still in process and not yet settled. The ground clearance is key as well since this car must be able to perform; we are not in the business of posing. We FULLY understand that our very survival lies in our ability to deliver head turning design that does what it's advertised to do. The end result waits to be seen, but even if I knew I still wouldn't tell you (but I don't!) - the fun in this is the process and, for the first time, it is open and available for you to chime in. Nurchus, huge props for calling out Porche, the 917 is among my personal favorites. Safety, performance and reliability are key and we will continue to earn your trust on these fronts. If you want to help design the next competition, I am all ears. I really think we should talk about it. aferreira@local-motors.com M, LM does bring to mind Le Mans now that you say it. This was not intentional but now that you mention it, it's not a bad thing. I think you will see "LM" on the cars, but in casual conversation the company is referred to as "Local"; that should provide an easy distinction.

Local Motors Selects First Design Concept to be Built Thanks, Joe! You'll have to sign on and say your piece about the doors. I think you'll get your offroad sports car, and it plans to be a real rally jumper... but, I think they might be playing with the idea of suicide doors if they can get the split line to look right. What would you think of that?

Local Motors Selects First Design Concept to be Built I really appreciate your honesty; this is valuable. We have received some polarizing responses to the Rally Fighter Sketch, and I can not say I am surprised or disappointed. Part of the beauty and the difficulty is that the design is still in process. The fact that you can participate and shape the outcome of the Rally Fighter is an industry first! I hope to see you in the process.

Local Motors Selects First Design Concept to be Built Hi all, Ariel from Local Motors here. You're welcome to check out the Design Process: http://www.local-motors.com/designProcessDet.php?c=502 You can see the progression from the initial design to the current stage, and participate in future iteration. Your comments and suggestions are welcome, but make them count and put it on the site: www.local-motors.com, where you can interact directly with designers.