Who is going to build the V1?

[MarkH]

Who is going to build the V1? I'm guessing it will be the Chinese company listed in the Strategic Partner list but never saw who was going to build it listed anywhere. Or did I just not look hard enough?

Thanks Gang!

Mark

[AZEqualizer]

Mark, Venture Vehicles is going to build the V1 in the US... they are currently looking at a manufacturing location in either California or New Mexico... but the details have not been finalized as yet. (parts will have many countries of origin.)

[MarkH]

Thanks! I was just curious. I appreciate the really rapid reply! Wow.

[Mark Tomlinson]

Interesting side note. I remember reading or hearing Ian explain that the manufacture of these vehicles will be virtually snap-together. Major components would be put together separately and shipped to assembly plants, much like large automobiles. But the assembly plants could be small warehouse types of operations closer to the major markets and could be scaled to meet demand.

I remember thinking that was brilliant. I still think it is.

[tugboatwilly]

I can see a great many abandon Detroit manufacturing facilities being put to good use and as an added benifit getting some Americans back to work. I like my origional Idea of spreading the wealth with V-1's thru V-2o's with each segment filling a special need. Military, ERT, Police, Traffic, Delivery, Taxi, and a lot of tracked snow stuff. We could have a AUTO BOOM and give Carver a RUN FOR THEIR MONEY.

[AZEqualizer]

Here is a posting from the FTR site that gives some more insight.


As we envision it now, the vehicles are shipped as "blanks" to dealers. The blanks are fully functional, but lack the exterior body panels, optional trim, installed accessory kits, etc. This means that the final integration is done at the dealers, on a customer-by-customer basis.

http://www.flytheroad.com/images/VV_carrier.jpg
{Posted: 2007-03-02 FTR IanBruce}

[jmeineck]

Wow, That is an interesting concept. I wonder exactly what ( Lack of exterior body panels means?) If it means that dealers recieve a rolling chassis and the dealer installs the complete body after we select which body we want, color, style, door panels etc,. That could lead to poorly assembled vehicles. I will need to think about that for awhile!!!

[AZEqualizer]

The frame is a moly steel roll cage with molded plastic panels... so the theory is that the panels are replaceable and also configurable for different color or optional panels (like the clear lower one). Dealers of motorcycles commonly do part of the assembly so this is not a big leap. Also the add ons are probably thing like the roof rack etc.
As you can see from the personalization concept drawing, probably only certain panels will be coming in off the bike. (this will also keep the panels in better shape during shipping.) You also have to allow that the dealerships would be doing repair work and have to remove some of them for access or replacement.

http://www.flytheroad.com/1_4_07_post/Personalization_Concept_D.jpg

[jmeineck]

OK, I get it and yes I think that is a good idea. You would not have to wait 4 month on and ordered vehicle if the auto dealers today don't have what you want:-)

[rogwild]

I also hope that; "exterior body panels, optional trim, installed accessory kits, etc) are only items such as roof racks, trailer hitches, and colored 'trim' panels that can be "BOLTED/Snapped ON" by almost any DIY'er or the Vv Dealer; and not more intricate 'options' such as sound/nav/HUD/FLIR systems or any performance 'upgrades' that affect the electronics/computer/drivetrain, that should be handled at the 'Assembly Plant'.

The "Factory", or Assembly Plants, will be just large buildings with an assembly line. All the major components; frame, motors, batteries, instruments, wheel, lights,...ad infinitum; will be put-together (and 'tested'?) there and then shipped to Dealers with the appropriate colored body panels and 'minor' accessories, for final assembly and inspection. Ian compared it more to the building of Motorcycles or ATV's than a 'normal' automobile plant.
Sounds good in theory, but........with all the steps and articles (many not even 'thought of', decided upon, built nor procured yet) required,...... any DATE in 2009 for actual Production Delivery seems like a very AMBITIOUS GOAL. Best Wishes, Vv.

[WarpedOne]

Vehicle loading
Self-powered vehicle loading using handheld control box.

Will this handheld control box be included with every V1?
The kid in me is smiling! :)

[Jack Willard]

That image of truck loading has me thinking about loading mine into my toy hauler along with the ATV's. Well...it IS partly a toy too, right?