VentureOne Made The Papers!

[CelticFlyer]

Here's an article I found in the Sunday edition of the Sacramento Bee this morning, May 18th.

I'm pumped!

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee299/GrabberOrange/V1ArticlePic.jpg
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee299/GrabberOrange/V1Article5-18-08.jpg
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee299/GrabberOrange/V1ArticleContinued5-18-0.jpg

Please forgive the crude scans. I couldn't wait to share this with y'all... ;)

The only thing that bothered me was Howard Levine's prediction of bringing the V1 to market in California in 2010. That's such a long time from now! :(

And the price appears to have crept up a little: $25,000. But maybe they're talking about the premium model.

[MVRacing]

I think it's interesting to note that VV has hired a lobbyist to push the bill ... proof that they are still serious.

[Derwin]

I have no doubt that Ian and Venture Vehicles are serious, I am just worrying about all of the projected timetables. For those that have been following this for the past year and a half, the timetables keep being pushed back. Now, with this article, it seems it has been pushed back AGAIN! The last we heard from Ian about a CALIFORNIA release, was that they were projecting it to be around April of 2009. Now Howard states that it will be in 2010.

I guess I'll have more time than I thought to ride around on my new SE5 CanAm Spyder before getting a V1!

Derwin

Hey, CF, is there any way you can get me a real copy of that article? I would love to have the real deal to put in my scrapbook. Let me know. Thanks.

[CelticFlyer]

Sure thing, boss. I can snail mail you the article I cut out of the paper. ;)

I'm a little bummed out about the timetable too, but it's still VERY encouraging to see the V1 get some ink! I too, will be altering my transportation goals to follow suit. I'm going to get a VW Rabbit in the meanwhile...

Regardless of the disheartening news in this article, I'm still a believer! =y:

[Gr8Force]

2010?!!! Sheesh! And that's just for California.

Hmmmm, I wonder what it would take to build a competing vehicle available for the rest of the country. VC wouldn't be too difficult.

[danbucks]

2010? This is not rocket science (with all due respect to Ian, it's not) - this is deal making and politics gone haywire. It happens, esp. with an unheard of number of green vehicle startups competing at the same time.

Hey - can we scale up the remote control project car - say, to fit one person?
I will drive that instead :-O

[CelticFlyer]

Yeah, right! Hey, maybe I can get AARP discounts on my insurance by the time this thing hits the road, eh? :LOL:

[RAN]

Hey, maybe I can get AARP discounts on my insurance by the time this thing hits the road, eh? :LOL:

Not funny Celtic..... :p







lol.

[Derwin]

I guess now we REALLY need the remote control project to keep our sanity while waiting on until 2010! Actually, it's probably more like 2011 for the national release of this vehicle. :mad:

Oh, well...... Let's get the r/c project going strong now. I think this could be something really fun for all of us.

Dang, I wish Ian would come through on what he promised us. Hopefully I'll be getting an email from him soon with the V1 files that we need. I'm sure he wouldn't go back on his word to us, would he? Nah. :o

Derwin

UPDATE-----I HAVE JUST RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM IAN. HE HAS SUPPLIED THE REQUEST FILE!

[Gr8Force]

It just boggles the mind that there's not one +60mpg vehicle out there that is enclosed roll cage, air bags, restraints, two person capable what with gas prices like they are. Necessity is the mother of invention. Or something like that and I'm guessing for most people current and future gas prices are a mother.

[victrolakid]

Random question, is there anything that we the venture forum members can do to get the venture to the market place faster than the 2010 date that they are predicting. Also what is the hold up is it the developmet of the vehicle or is it the legislation that it has to go through?

[MarkH]

Yeah, right! Hey, maybe I can get AARP discounts on my insurance by the time this thing hits the road, eh? :LOL:

I know this one was meant to be funny but I have a sad feeling it might actually come to pass... The 2010 thing really gave me heartburn. I've been, um, lets say unhappy with the sudden silence from VV and as far as I'm concerned it's the last straw. Rather than be negative I'll just drop out.

I think I'll get myself a Four Two and check in sometime next year and see how things turned out.

It's been fun folks. If something cool happens someone drop me a line.

See Ya!

[RAN]

Months ago I predicted that the release date for the V-1 would be spring of 2010. I caught a lot of scorn for that from some of the peanut gallery over on the FTR forum, but it appears that even THAT prediction was too optimistic.

Nissan expects to have a couple EV's and maybe a real series hybrid version or 2 out by 2010. The Volt may be ready by 2010 as well. Then there's the Tesla WhiteStar, and the Aptera Typ-2 to look forward to. Not to mention Toyota, Honda, Suburu, Mitsubishi, and others.

These guys are gonna piss around and lose their momentum... they had a chance to be one of the first,and they're gonna blow it. How many people would buy a V-1 and suffer with it's limitations as their sole transportation (let's be honest... a Miata is a cargo-carrying monster compared to a V-1, and it can't carry much) when there are a dozen other vehicles to choose from that have a better EV range and 2-3x the room? Yes there's the "fun factor". That makes the V-1 a toy, not a primary vehicle. For those who can afford both, fine; but for those who can only afford 1 vehicle, it's gonna face some stiff, practical competition, and many times, it's gonna lose.

Had they gotten the V-1 out a year ahead of all the competition, it would've gotten a lot of buzz for it's green qualities alone... by 2011, it's going to be that "odd-looking 3 wheeled thing" and it'll get another 5 minutes notice in Autobloggreen and get lost in the shuffle while the automotive press crowds around the latest offering by a major manufacturer.

I also predicted that the V-1 Q100, with a few options, would fall in the $25-27k range. I may have been too optimistic there as well.

At least here we have a forum to discuss all green technologies and other manufacturer's attempts at solving the problems of "ZENN" transportation. Maybe there will actually be a real V-1 to test drive someday, but I learned months ago not to hold my breath waiting on Ian and Co.

[Victoly]

This is really disappointing, and irritating. They should have just repackaged the Carver One with an updated drivetrain, and then could have spent a few years doing whatever it is that they're doing with the Venture One. Instead, all we get is an ominous silence at the official "blog" (which is a complete mess anyway, but that's another story) and newspaper stories still using rendered images.

I can't help but wonder if these guys are the new Zap! Cars.

[waboom]

Sigh... Another day, another delay.

CelticFlyer, it looks like the artist's drawing of the V1 in the article used the mockup that was unveiled at the New York Auto Show. With your trained artist's eye, does it look like the design has evolved at all since then?

[Derwin]

I agree with RAN on this one. I really wanted to believe that we would be driving a V1 by this time next year. I guess I was "hoping against hope" that we would be among the first to get one of the California releases and not have to wait until 2010. But now that Howard has stated that the initial Cal. release will be in 2010, it moves the national release way into the future. Very discouraging indeed.

What Victola says is so very true, and I have made the same point over at the official forum many times, to the scorn of many. Why didn't Venture Vehicles simply repackage the Carver? If they simply did that, without altering much at all, it would have flown off the shelves, filled their coffers with needed money, and given them THE lead over all the other manufacturers of "green" cars. Would it get 100 mpg? No, but so what? It would still get double what anything else out there is getting, and it would have the FUN FACTOR that nothing else has. I would import a Carver now if it weren't so much money!

One thing that I can say about Venture Vehicles that still remains true, despite the discouraging news, is that they have a vehicle that is unlike anything that is on or coming on the market. And, yes, they do have a vehicle (Carver), but they just need to make the changes and get the thing out. Again, I am hoping that the 2010 Cal. release is just a CYA date, and that things will progress much faster. I know, I'm being very optimistic, and I may be nieve, but I think this vehicle will hit the streets sooner rather than later.

Derwin

[CelticFlyer]

Sigh... Another day, another delay.

CelticFlyer, it looks like the artist's drawing of the V1 in the article used the mockup that was unveiled at the New York Auto Show. With your trained artist's eye, does it look like the design has evolved at all since then?

First of all, thanks for the vote of confidence regarding my "artisitic" abilities! ;) I'm gettin' there...

Secondly, I believe you're right about VV having used the mockup for that illustration which appeared in yesterday's paper. Although, it's more of a photo layered composition than a drawing.

Finally, it's hard to say exactly what has changed since the mockup's debut at the New York Auto Show. The illustration I produced in the art section is a (forgive the pun) "hybrid" of everything that has come before it. I used elements from each of the sources available to me in an attempt to capture the V1s essence. The only thing that has become available to us since the X-Prize competition announcement was the 3D drawing of the rotating "Sport" edition V1. That too, served a useful purpose in my rendering.

I certainly hope Mark sticks around. I've enjoyed reading his input, although I completely understand his frustration with all of the delays and the disappointingly infrequent news releases being issued by VV. Keep the faith, my friend!

[waboom]

First of all, thanks for the vote of confidence regarding my "artisitic" abilities! ;) I'm gettin' there...

Secondly, I believe you're right about VV having used the mockup for that illustration which appeared in yesterday's paper. Although, it's more of a photo layered composition than a drawing.

CelticFlyer, your artistic abilities as demonstrated on this site speak for themselves!

I figured it was the case that they had just used a photo from the mockup; not only from all the X-prize stickers, but also from the side-view mirrors the V1 was sporting. Ian might be making a big deal about the low coefficient of drag that the V-1 has, but those mirrors look like they have the aerodynamic properties of bricks! That, and they don't "flow" with the design of the V1 at all. It looked like an artist might have added some "spin" to the front tire to give it the illusion of movement, but no other changes.

I'm curious though about the actual Assembly Bill 2272 itself though. When I read through the text of the bill (http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/asm/ab_2251-2300/ab_2272_bill_20080221_introduced.pdf) at the California Legislator's site, it looked like it should affect the Aptera as well. But if you read the Aptera blurb on Fortune's 11 great green ideas list (http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/fortune/0804/gallery.great_green_ideas.fortune/index.html) (where Venture Vehicles was #11), it sounds like the "use this enclosed 3-wheeler in a carpool lane" was a major selling point of the Aptera. Was Aptera somehow not affected by this legislation? And if they were, where were they in this legislative (and lobbying) effort?

[rogwild]

I tried to find the weight of the Aptera on their website, but only found:
"In fact, Aptera is a motorcycle manufacturer registered with DOT and CA DMV. This means, among other things, that we are able to issue VIN's. Our 'world identifier number' is '5WT', so all of our VIN's begin with '5WT'. Knowing the public perception of motorcycle safety, we made the decision to make safety a fundamental part of the design of our vehicles. For example, the Typ-1 roof is designed to EXCEED rollover strength requirements spelled out in FMVSS 216 for passenger vehicles. The doors EXCEED the strength requirement spelled out in FMVSS 214. We decided not just to meet many of the specs for passenger vehicles, which are set above and beyond the requirements for motorcycles, but we chose to exceed them whenever possible. Just a few of the many parts of the safety systems on the Typ-1 are airbag-in seatbelt technology, a front subframe and a firewall that redirect energy around the occupants."

Perhaps if they are under the 1,500 lb limit, they won't be presently excluded from the HOV lanes.

UPDATE: Just found this on Wikipedia. Aptera = "Curb weight 1,480 pounds (671 kg)" ((That's cutting it pretty close.))

[waboom]

Perhaps if they are under the 1,500 lb limit, they won't be presently excluded from the HOV lanes.

UPDATE: Just found this on Wikipedia. Aptera = "Curb weight 1,480 pounds (671 kg)" ((That's cutting it pretty close.))

No wonder they didn't want side-view mirrors; it would have put them over the limit!:LOL:

Seriously though, this raises another question: I wonder what other states have "gotchas" in their laws that would hinder the V1's acceptance? We've seen the issues in Ohio (http://www.flytheroadclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=438), and MVRacing has mentioned (http://www.flytheroadclub.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3280&postcount=5) that Washington State's current laws would require both a motorcycle and trike endorsement.

[Jake]

Well, I have followed the V1 for a while but never joined the group. The note saying it now will not be out until 2011 caused me to join. I hope this is wrong but if confirmed then I guess I will have to break down and buy another vehicle. I live in Florida anyway and I guess it will be a number of years until available out here. What a shame. Hope someone can tell me that what I have written is inaccurate. I will wait a year. It really doesn't seem like it should be taking this long. I mean after all, trikes have been around a very long time and hybrids have been around quite a while. The technology for the tilting body is not new. Seems a serious company should be able to do this but I may be missing a lot of behind the scenes stuff.

[Derwin]

Well, I'm glad that you decided to join our little group of enthusiasts!

The initial date of release was to be in 2008, then it got pushed back to April of 2009 for the California release. Nothing is "official" yet, and the last word we heard from Ian was that it would be around April 2009, so I would just keep watching for the latest news. They may indeed have pushed it back to 2010, but I am not going with that until Ian officially posts it.

A long wait indeed. :(

Derwin

[grendel]

The launch date of 2010 is far enough away not to matter. In 2009 the launch date will be 2011. Two years is a magic number -- it quiets the masses' cries for information.

Mark, rather than the Smart 4-2, consider the Nissan Versa 1.8S hatchback. As published in R&T in a letter from Georgian Paul Rubin, the Versa has "3 additional seats, 52 more horsepower, nearly identical gas mileage (32.5 for the Versa, 32 for the Smart), and a better warranty. What's truly amazing is the Versa's as-tested price is $1500 less! Makes one wonder which vehicle is the smarter choice."

I doubt there'll be much of a market for the VV come 2010 - 2011. The appeal for many of us was two-fold: it was unique and it was green. It looked like the perfect commuter vehicle, promising great gas mileage and a lot of fun. But you know what? I get both in spades on my Burgman 650. The only thing my Burgman doesn't offer that the VV promised is weather protection. And that isn't worth an additional 12-15 large to me.

It's said the strongest vote you can cast is the vote you cast with your feet. My feeling is VV has missed their window and, like Mark, I'm walking away.

Good luck to those remaining.
-Gren

[cpaddock]

Rent a Versa first, and spend a day driving it. Ours was a piece of, you guessed it,
"poor workmanship".

[Derwin]

grendel,

Don't get me wrong, but your comments are very strange indeed. It shows that you just became a member in the past few days, and the very FIRST POST that you make is one to state that you are leaving and "walking away". It really doesn't seem like you are walking away from anything since you have not been on-board in the first place. I just find it odd that you would join and then immediately (with your first post) state that you are leaving. Very curious to me, and it really doesn't make much sense.

Anyway, Venture Vehicles is working on a car that will be DIFFERENT from all others in the fact that they are using the Carver Tilting Technology. This makes the vehicle much different than all others. If you are not interested in that, then I would suggest getting another hybrid of some kind.

As for me, I am willing to wait. A vehicle like this is simply incredible, and well worth the wait. I agree with you, though, that VV SHOULD have something on the road much sooner, but for some reason they won't. My hope was that they would just take the Carver tilting tech and get a product out based strictly on that, and then come out with the "real-deal" hybrid and all electric afterwords. But, it is what it is, and I'm still a fan.

Derwin

[Miracleman89]

Grendel,
I understand your disappointment. I have been following the V1 since November of 2006 and it has already been a long haul! However, the idea of cut and run after a few set backs , sounds like you need to re-evaluate why you came here in the first place. The Nissan Versa gets just 32.5 mpg as you said, but the V1 is gonna get 100 mpg! This will be 3x the fuel efficiency. I think the best option would be to get a two year lease on an economical vehicle now, then make your V1 purchase once released! But just giving up and walking away doesn't sound realistic!

[cpaddock]

How much do you think we'll be paying for a gallon of gas in two years? Seems to me there is going to be a HUGE market for any vehicle that gets 100 MPG! I'm guessing that for every one who drifts away from VV, there will be a couple of dozen who take their place. No judgement, no reflection, and like the man said, "Good luck to those remaining".
As launch date approaches I think we will see makings of a feeding frenzy. Be prepared.
Curves ahead!

[Derwin]

Seems to me there is going to be a HUGE market for any vehicle that gets 100 MPG! I'm guessing that for every one who drifts away from VV, there will be a couple of dozen who take their place.


I agree 100% with those comments. I, personally, am not just interested in this vehicle because of it's 100mpg rating (although the more gas goes up, the more important this becomes!). But I just can't wait to experience the thrill of leaning in a turn at 75 to 80 miles per hour! A motorcycle would be the closest thing to that, I guess, but I know this must be so completely different. The gas mileage is important, but ooooooooh that lean! We will truly be "flying the road" in this vehicle.

Derwin

[MVRacing]

I can just picture a group of us ... taking every single 270 degree freeway on ramp and off ramp we come to. Jet fighters 2' off the ground ... love it. Can't wait=y:=y:=y:

For me it's the LEAN

[CelticFlyer]

I'm a believer too. Yeah, the wait is going to be tough, but it will be worth it! Getting ink in local papers is encouraging. It will help raise awareness of the vehicle and help it gain acceptance as a viable alternative to what people are driving.

[TazmanianKoala]

I'm also willing to wait until the introduction of the VV tilter.
Although I can purchase the Carver, I think the design of the Venture One is far better. Also the hybrid technology is worth the wait. If for any reason the VV will not be available for shipment to Europe, I really hope that Carver will make a cross-license, that is: Carver will take up production for Europe. Carver has the technology already, the only lack the design and hybrid power plant.
Their combined forces should rock the world.

[RAN]

BTW, here's one article from the LA Times that VV didn't make it into: http://www.latimes.com/classified/automotive/highway1/la-hy-throttle2jan02,0,2409163.story
Why? Well, because this article only covers 3 wheelers that are already being sold or scheduled to be out sometime this year.

How sad that, even if this article were written a year later, VV still would not qualify for inclusion.

[Derwin]

The thing is, RAN, those vehicles mentioned in the article are all open-air vehicles like my Spyder, the Vectix scooter, and others. The ONLY one that is a closed vehicle is the Aptera. And that is not selling outside California.

But I get your point. Venture Vehicles has got to get on the stick and get this thing to market.......Soon! I don't know if the world can wait until 2011 to see this hit main-street America.

On a side note.....I was just informed that the CanAm Spyder SE5 that I ordered was not going to be delivered until December. The contract that I signed GUARANTEED delivery by September at the LATEST! Now, this is a vehicle that is already on the road in the manual version. And, they already have "test" Spyder SE5's making the rounds for people to see. Now, if a vehicle like this, from a reputable and established company, has set-backs, and THEY even have to BREAK AN ACTUAL SALES CONTRACT, then I think we have to cut VV a little slack.

But I'm with you, bro......I wish they would get the vehicle on the market when they originally stated. Hmmmm. That would be NOW!

Derwin

[RAN]

"Now" works for me.... =D

[rogwild]

Since we can't have NOW; maybe we can equip our R/C V~1's with a mini video camera and get a real fun 'V~1 experience':

http://www.shopwildplanet.com/prod/wpt70133.html

Got one for my grand-nephew last Christmas, really cool!

[Jake]

Well, I can understand the difficulty in waiting. Problem I have is that in about 1.5 years I will have to buy my next vehicle. I would drive to CA to get one if available but doesn't look like it will be though I will wait as long as I can.

What makes it hard is there are lots of starters and few finishers. Most start-up companies drop out before they get to production. When you start hearing that big updates are coming that never show up and productions dates moving ever farther away, that is often a sign that the company is having a hard time closing the deal. A strong "finisher" put in the right position can do that but for some reason a lot of dreamers don't like them. I guess that is because the dreamer always wants to change/improve something while the finisher will drive to get what is good enough out on the market to become liquid and make improvements in later production models. Hopefully, the company has or will hire someone like that. Anyway, hears to watching grass grow.

[Derwin]

I guess that is because the dreamer always wants to change/improve something while the finisher will drive to get what is good enough out on the market to become liquid and make improvements in later production models.


Boy, I couldn't agree with you more. You are right on with that statement. My HOPE was that Venture Vehicles would take the Carver tech, create a new body, and make the other appropriate changes, and then get the thing on the market asap. Obviously, this is not what is happening. I do believe, though, that they WILL get an incredible vehicle on the market, but it will be later, rather than sooner. :(

Derwin

[RAN]

Jake, welcome to the club and you make a good point. I don't honestly believe that Ian is ever going to get the V-1 to the manufacturing stage unless he would be willing to take on someone like you describe. A year ago, he was making predictions that proved to be more flights of fantasy than anything close to practical reality. A year later, he's still doing it. This is not a good sign. He hasn't made good on one promise he's made this year, nor has he met one deadline he's set (except maybe for getting the mock-up V-1 to NYC in time for the X Prize opening and the cameras).

I used to do some freelance camerawork for a couple of A/V production companies. A dear friend of mine freelanced there as a graphic artist. When deadline pressure loomed, and she was having problems with a few paste-ups, my 1st question to her was "how long is that gonna be onscreen?" If for only a quarter second in the middle of quick transitions, then "close enough is good enough." You spend the most time on the shots that will stay onscreen for several seconds or longer. As good an artist as she was, she sometimes didn't "get" the practical aspects of maintaining quality AND making deadlines.

Ian's great at getting in front of a camera and talking smack, but as we've seen, he's lousy at projecting real development schedules and coming anywhere near sticking to them.

[Derwin]

...."close enough is good enough."

I agree completely with that statement. Ian and the VV team should have simply focused on getting a vehicle out that was CLOSE enough to their goals. Then they could always work on "perfecting" it in a later model. Or getting exactly what they want out (like an EV model) out at a later date. Well, I guess that's what they are doing anyway, but they should be a bit quicker getting the hybrid out in my opinion. They have been working on this for a few years now, and it shouldn't take another 2 or 3 years. But maybe they will surprise us, who knows.


Ian's great at getting in front of a camera and talking smack, but as we've seen, he's lousy at projecting real development schedules and coming anywhere near sticking to them.

Do you think that Ian creates the development schedule? I would think that this is something that the actual team sets. Maybe Ian is simply passing on information that he has been given by the team. This could be another reason why he is posting a lot less information. He just doesn't trust it himself anymore!

Derwin

[rogwild]

Yes, and what about the 'TEAM' we were suppose to be 'introduced to' via video 'blogs'? So far only Ian and Howard (the two 'top dogs'), not much of a 'team'. We did hear ONCE about a PROJECT MANAGER, Roger ?, being hired......but then nothing....is he still there....is anyone HOME????? How about 'Darlin' Debbie' who Ian promised to hire last August, to oversee the FTR Forum. NO IMPROVEMENTS, but Derwin (with the help of some talented 'volunteers') got this 'un-official' club site off the ground (with limited funds [thanks again, Derwin] compared to Vv's Venture Capital) and just look at the difference a bit of 'care' and 'dedication' makes!

[RAN]

I don't think the team told him to go on Invention Nation and try to pass off the Carver as a "prototype V-1", and Ian's the one who talks to the press and gives out the information on intended features, price and projected deadlines. He has always gone with the "best-case scenario," even though that has proven time and time again to be wildly optimistic.

Let me put it this way: If you were under your car working on it, and the jack slipped and you were pinned under it with your cell phone, who would you want to hear say he'd "be right there?" Ian? or almost anyone else?

[Derwin]

I don't think the team told him to go on Invention Nation and try to pass off the Carver as a "prototype V-1"

Yeah, I get your point there. I remember when I first watched that video, and heard Ian present that as a VV prototype, when it was simply a Carver that they just imported! It had nothing to do with what Venture Vehicles actually created. Which was NOTHING up to that point.


Let me put it this way: If you were under your car working on it, and the jack slipped and you were pinned under it with your cell phone, who would you want to hear say he'd "be right there?" Ian? or almost anyone else?

Hey, if Ian promised he'd be over, I don't think he would brake his word......hey, wait a minute. Is this my life we're talking about?! ;)

My only point was that Ian is most likely not the one CREATING the deadlines or estimates on when things will be accomplished. But he is the one that has been posting them and touting them in the media. One thing I know that he IS responsible for, and that is his updates at the club site. He seems totally impervious to the damage that is caused when he promises something and then totally disregards it. This is a big problem. I hope somebody can get through to him about this. Roger is correct when he reminds us of Darlin Debbie and the other promises that Ian has made. It's gotten to the point that when he promises an update in a "few days" is taken as a joke. Ian's definition of a "few days" is a few weeks or months!

All I know is that I want one of these things when they come out. And I do still believe that they will come out. If Ian and VV don't get them out, than SOME company will. Heck, maybe a group of club members can join together and get 'er done!

Derwin

[waboom]

Yes, and what about the 'TEAM' we were suppose to be 'introduced to' via video 'blogs'? So far only Ian and Howard (the two 'top dogs'), not much of a 'team'. We did hear ONCE about a PROJECT MANAGER, Roger ?, being hired......but then nothing....is he still there....is anyone HOME?

For that matter, does anybody know (roughly) how many people Venture Vehicles currently employs?

[waboom]

For that matter, does anybody know (roughly) how many people Venture Vehicles currently employs?

I know it's not exactly proper form to answer a question that you yourself ask, but I stumbled on the answer tonight, when I was reading the November 2007 article in the New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/14/business/smallbusiness/14cars.html?_r=1) about Venture Vehicles. There, the reporter said that Venture Vehicles had 8 employees. Ian's publicly announced one new hire since then, so I'm guessing that they currently have 12 employees or less.

[CelticFlyer]

Interesting article, waboom. It was encouraging in some respects, but discouraging in others. I'll be honest, the skepticism of their critics did give me something to ponder. Again, the timeframe for production hinted at a second-quarter 2009 market release, but we all know that's not gonna happen.

[Derwin]

Ian has stated as late as December that the initial release would be around April of 2009. But I agree, I don't think that may be accurate anymore. Then again, has anybody heard any other dates mentioned by Ian?

Derwin

[CelticFlyer]

I thought 2010 was the latest date kicking around. That'll be just fine with me. I just watched an industry analyst predict gas will cost around $7 a gallon by then. :confused:

That means that even my Rabbit, with a 14.5 gallon tank will cost over $100 to fill up! :o

[waboom]

The size of the Venture Vehicles workforce also indirectly explains why the "moving target" of the release date is so constantly moving. With a head-count of under a dozen, I'm guessing that 70-80% of the R&D work is being subcontracted out to their partners (Swift Engineering, et. al.). Ian has to rely on the projected task completion dates they give him, and I'm willing to bet they're like most subcontractors: give the customer the best-scenario date for project completion at the beginning, then gradually move it out over the course of the project. If they have 2 or more subcontractors that rely on other subcontractor's work, then it expands dramatically. Ian probably has to keep revising the timeline every time he gets a status update from them.

[waboom]

Just to give everyone a quick update on the Venture Vehicles sponsored bill in California.

If you look at the legislative history file (http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/asm/ab_2251-2300/ab_2272_bill_20080811_history.html) of the bill, it passed both the Assembly and the Senate, but it didn't make it through enrollment for the bill to be in the Governor's office before September 1 (the legislative deadline for this year.)

On August 6 the Governor said he would veto any bill that the Legislature sends to him until a State budget is passed. Since that announcement, the Legislature has been holding bills it has passed temporarily until a budget is passed. It is not certain what will happen if there is no budget past September 30, however (the signature deadline for bills in the 2008 legislative year.)

So we'll have to see if the Governor will still be able to sign off on it this year. First, get that budget straightened out...

[waboom]

On September 30, the last day it was possible for Governor Schwarzenegger to sign any bills passed by the legislature into law, he signed Assembly Bill 2272 (http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/postquery?bill_number=ab_2272&sess=CUR), the legislation sponsored by Venture Vehicles mentioned in the article at the beginning of this thread. The legislation removes the 1,500 lb. maximum weight limitation for a motorcycle, removes the separate designation of "electric motorcycles" from the books, and allows drivers of fully-enclosed 3-wheeled vehicles (like the V1) to drive in carpool lanes even if there is only 1 person in the V1. The legislation will take effect January 1.

So what's the immediate effect of this legislation?

Well, in the article at the beginning of this thread, Venture Vehicles said that passage of the bill would help attract financing for the company, as having a clear law on the books allowing it into the carpool lanes with a single occupant would be a significant selling point. I'm betting that they would be using this to help persuade VC firms to invest for their second round of funding.

As an interesting side note on the legislation side of the saga, in 2008 Governor Schwarzenegger has signed 772 bills and vetoed 415 bills, giving him a veto record of around 35% this year. The prior veto record was 25%, set by Gray Davis.

[RAN]

Thank you waboom! And thank you Arnold. :-{)]

[kid_glove]

It really doesn't matter to me when VV starts to sell their vehicle, only that I will definitely purchase one and take it on a test run on a 11 mile trek with 318 curves (US129). I've taken this course many times with my H-D Road King classic and it's a blast. I wonder how fast I can take the curves with VV, time will tell.