EV-Maker Aptera Recruits Former Saleen Exec For Marketing Role As Launch Nears

Electric-car maker Aptera said it has recruited former Saleen general manager Marques McCammon as its new chief marketing officer.

Brand consultant Tony Kirton had been filling that post  and will continue working with McCammon as a consultant, the San Diego County company said.

Recruiting from performance car specialist Saleen, which has had its ups and downs lately, isn't a new experience for Aptera. Company President and CEO Paul Wilbur, hired in September, is a Saleen alumnus.

Aptera, which received a $2.75 million cash infusion from Google's green-tech investment arm this summer, says it will roll out its first retail vehicle, the $27,000, battery-electric Aptera 2e, later next year and recently opened a second facility for production of the battery-electric vehicle.

The three-wheeled, two-seat EV looks a lot like a small plane sans wings and tail - a design that maximizes aerodynamics, says company co-founder and chief technology officer Steve Fambro.

It is considered a motorcycle under state law and is not subject to the stringent safety regulations a four-wheeled vehicle must meet in order to be sold, although Aptera says on its website that the vehicle's doors and roof structure exceed required safety standards for passenger cars.

Aptera says the vehicle will achieve the energy consumption equivalent of 300 miles per gallon of gasoline yet will offer speedy acceleration and sporty handling.

McCammon, said Fambro, was recruited for his "automotive experience, business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit."

In addition to his work at Saleen, McCammon, 32, was part of the team at independent design and components company ASC that developed the ASC Helios 4-door convertible concept.  Wilbur also worked at ASC.

John O'Dell, Senior Editor

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John O'Dell November 7, 2008, 6:30 AM

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Aptera, Fuel Economy, Plug-ins and Electric

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Aptera, Aptera 2e, EV

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