The world’s most prominent maker of 3D-printed cars, Local Motors, announced this week that it proposes pre-sales of its series of 3D-printed cars beginning in spring 2016. It approximates that the sticker price for the LM3D series will be around $53,000.
The dune-buggy-like 3D-printed cars will be produced in a “microfactory” which is presently under construction in Knoxville, Tennessee. Local Motors expects the manufacturing facility to be completed by the end of 2015. According to a press release from the company, there, the cars will be manufactured “using direct digital manufacturing (DDM), of which 3D-printing is a part.”
Local Motors should be able to start delivering cars to customers in early 2017 if they meet that targeted timeline.
Local Motors will be the first company to offer (partially) 3D-printed cars for sale to the public.
It will be interesting to see if Local Motors can stick to its proposed timeline. Even more so, how many people will line up for the $53,000 3D-printed cars. Keep in mind that for that amount of money, buyers can purchase a 2016 Mercedes Benz E-Class.
Local Motors commented that the final LM3D should have a lot more comforts that justify the $53,000 price tag.