Today marks an important milestone in the development of the Photon S3. The drive train and chassis work is now complete. I feel an immense relief, like cresting a hill after a difficult climb. Looking out over the valley below I envision some smooth, downwind sailing.
It is with great relief, and some pride, that I look upon what we have done with so little capital, facility, and time. Many others have come and gone these past five years: Tesla Roadster, Fisker, Apterra, Alias... yet, somehow, Paxterra lives on. Keeping the Paxterra headcount at one has paid off, though I am getting tired of doing everything myself. I think 2012 will be a year of developing key relationships with partners that can help Paxterra move to the next stage.
I'm still against passive investors. I don't want VCs in Paxterra. We will work with only those who are actively engaged in the EV world in some way.
Last night, after a marathon session of fabrication, I was watching one of Jack Rickard's great videos. He said something like, "Its going to be us that gets this thing done, not the big guys." So right. Just like back in the day when Jobs and Wazniak kicked IBM's butt; caught them napping.
I sincerely hope those "big guys" continue to turn out overpriced, under performing crap so as to not obsolete themselves and keep their OIL buddies happy. This is the breathing room we need to create brands that will, perhaps, turn this whole thing on its head. Again. (the one to watch is Nissan, they are going all in with a $4B bet on pure EVs)
Paxterra will be there in a very tiny little niche. That's all we need to be mega-happy. I would be completely satisfied to eventually sell seven thousand vehicles a year, like Ferrari. Machines designed for those that know quality is not cheap.
It is with great relief, and some pride, that I look upon what we have done with so little capital, facility, and time. Many others have come and gone these past five years: Tesla Roadster, Fisker, Apterra, Alias... yet, somehow, Paxterra lives on. Keeping the Paxterra headcount at one has paid off, though I am getting tired of doing everything myself. I think 2012 will be a year of developing key relationships with partners that can help Paxterra move to the next stage.
I'm still against passive investors. I don't want VCs in Paxterra. We will work with only those who are actively engaged in the EV world in some way.
Last night, after a marathon session of fabrication, I was watching one of Jack Rickard's great videos. He said something like, "Its going to be us that gets this thing done, not the big guys." So right. Just like back in the day when Jobs and Wazniak kicked IBM's butt; caught them napping.
I sincerely hope those "big guys" continue to turn out overpriced, under performing crap so as to not obsolete themselves and keep their OIL buddies happy. This is the breathing room we need to create brands that will, perhaps, turn this whole thing on its head. Again. (the one to watch is Nissan, they are going all in with a $4B bet on pure EVs)
Paxterra will be there in a very tiny little niche. That's all we need to be mega-happy. I would be completely satisfied to eventually sell seven thousand vehicles a year, like Ferrari. Machines designed for those that know quality is not cheap.