Every year on the first Friday of October, manufacturers across North America celebrate MFG Day, or Manufacturing Day. Started by The Manufacturing Institute, MFG Day is an initiative to grow and support the industry’s skilled workers for the advancement of modern manufacturing. Encouraging companies and educational institutions to open their doors shows students, parents, teachers and community leaders the reality of modern manufacturing careers as the industry seeks to fill four million high-skill, high-tech and high-paying jobs over the next decade.
MFG Day is being celebrated by the Innovate78 team by highlighting a few of the manufacturing businesses right in our own North County backyard. This article features Aptera, with locations in Carlsbad and Vista. To read all of our articles, visit innovate78.com/blog.
Aptera’s mission is to create the most efficient transportation on the planet by leveraging new developments in battery efficiency, aerodynamics, material science and manufacturing. “Aptera is leading a solar mobility movement, applying breakthrough technology to create the most efficient solar mobility products on the planet,” said co-CEO and Cofounder Chris Anthony.
Aptera is the first in a line of solar electric vehicles, or sEVs, being produced by Aptera Motors that are powered by the sun and won’t need charging for most daily use. “Our business model differs from traditional automotive manufacturers, and our assembly will be localized and light, accelerating supplier financing and national production,” continued Anthony.
Started in the North County garage of Cofounder and Co-CEO Steve Fambro, establishing their headquarters in Carlsbad is a homecoming for the company.
“This location allows us to reconnect with the change-makers who helped Aptera get started. Not to mention, we have many reservations from Southern California. HQ in North County will allow us to service Aptera’s growing fleet more efficiently.”
chris anthony, co-CEO and cofounder, aptera motors
When asked about how recent supply chain challenges impacted Aptera, Anthony referenced the chip shortage that made headlines and affected Aptera like other auto manufacturers across the nation. Their biggest challenge was the way chip shortages affected their company’s delivery timing and testing. “Long lead times of critical components were also challenging, but thankfully our vehicle has fewer parts, making it easier to produce,” said Anthony. “We are confident and optimistic about the significant supply chain agreements and relationships we’ve forged.”
Despite the challenges, the future is bright for this solar EV company. Cities like Carlsbad are looking to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, and Aptera wants to drive that vision forward. “Individuals in our community want to make life easier through breakthrough tech as well as improve their relationship with the Earth,” said Anthony. “North County cares about reducing our carbon footprint.” Aptera sees the vision being shared between their business and local government, illustrated by the City of Carlsbad’s aim to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045.
The excitement continues to stir when Aptera meets customers and shares their vision for the future. “Whenever we bring Aptera out on the roads or to a local event, we’re blown away by our community’s inspiring reactions,” said Anthony. “We can tell North County provides a great foundation for a paradigm shift to occur.”
To learn more about doing business in the City of Carlsbad, please visit innovate78.com or contact Matt Sanford, economic development manager, at matt.sanford@carlsbadca.gov or (760) 607-2923.