Local Motors to Begin Taking Pre-Orders Next Month for 3D Printed Cars

We’ve been following the goings-on at Local Motors for quite some time now, as we have been edging nearer and nearer that holy grail of customization and (dare we pun it?) technology’s literal drive forward with the world’s first commercially available 3D printed car.

And now the news that we’ve all been waiting to hear: next month, you’ll be able to pre-order your own 3D printed car.

Toward the end of October, Local Motors will turn to Indiegogo to bring the preliminary versions of their all-electric Reload Redacted car to the public, taking pre-orders through the campaign and getting the first cars into customers’ garages by early next year. The design, announced in July, will soon be ready to take to the roads in a few different models.

Local Motors’ Adam Kress noted that the prices and delivery times will vary by model selected. For a highway version of the Reload Redacted, expect to shell out some $50K for your new car–but if you want a lower-speed vehicle, the price will drop as well, running between around $18,000 and $30,000. The high-speed version looks to be available by the end of 2016.

The open source 3D printed cars represent a popular concept, as those involved in the maker and automotive spaces have been chomping at the bit to get a better idea of the potential behind Local Motors’ plans.

“I’ve got the machines. You’ve got the brains,” said Local Motors’ CEO, Jay Rogers, regarding their open source positioning. “Let’s bring the chocolate and the peanut butter together and let’s make better cars every four months.”

The Arizona-based company is seeking to create and improve upon 3D printed car designs on a fairly consistent basis. With traditional automotive techniques, we’ve all become quite familiar with the concept of the model year that doesn’t always seem to make a lot of sense (in 2008, I was very happy with my brand-new 2009 model car…even if my only “customization” was selecting the paint color and sunroof). Local Motors certainly has a more timely approach in mind–and with far more personalization possible.

“We want the development time, which is currently about six years, to come down to about four months. Digitally manufacturing a car allows us to adopt new technology as soon as it comes out. That’s what people desire,” Rogers explained.

With their recent partnership with ASU, development is certain to continue apace for Local Motors.

Rogers has pointed out that based on their digital production methods, unique models will come out not just with each subsequent set of designs, but with each individual car. The basis behind much of Local Motors’ platform lies in the personal quality of their designs, so each vehicle can be tailored to its driver.

Check out the video below of Local Motors cars being printed and demonstrated at Detroit’s auto show earlier this week.

Will you be pre-ordering one of these incredible vehicles?  Let us know in the Local Motors Pre-orders forum thread on 3DPB.com.