Local Motors
A digital vehicle manufacturer that used crowdsourced designs and 3D printing-enabled micro-factories to build innovative vehicles like the Strati 3D-printed car and the Olli autonomous shuttle.
- CEO / Founder
- John B. Rogers, Jr.
- Team Size
- 51-200
- Stage
- Defunct
- Total Funding
- $15M
- Latest Round
- Venture Round
- Key Investors
- GameAbove, Airbus Ventures, GE Ventures, VTF Capital
Technology & Products
Key Products
["Olli (Autonomous electric shuttle)","Strati (World's first 3D-printed electric car)","Rally Fighter (Crowdsourced off-road vehicle)"]
Technological Advantage
The micro-factory model enabled decentralized, low-volume, and capital-efficient production, allowing for rapid design iteration. Their core technological advantage was expertise in large-format additive manufacturing for vehicle production, which drastically reduced part count, tooling costs, and development time.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
To rapidly and cost-effectively design and build next-generation, open-source vehicles through a combination of community co-creation and localized, direct digital manufacturing.
How They Differentiate
Local Motors stood apart through its open-source design philosophy and flexible micro-factory model, which contrasted with the traditional, high-volume manufacturing approaches of competitors. Its use of large-scale 3D printing for primary structures was a key technological differentiator.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
Municipalities, corporations, universities, and transportation providers seeking innovative and sustainable autonomous mobility solutions.
Industry Verticals
["Automotive","Transportation","Manufacturing"]
Competitors
Navya; EasyMile; Canoo
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
Ceased operations in January 2022 due to a lack of funding to scale production and operations.
Major Milestones
["2007: Company founded.","2010: Launched the Rally Fighter, the first crowdsourced vehicle.","2014: Live 3D-printed the Strati car in 44 hours at the International Manufacturing Technology Show.","2016: Unveiled Olli, the self-driving, cognitive electric shuttle.","2018: Announced a $1B financing pledge to support Olli customers.","2022: Ceased all operations."]
Notable Customers
Sacramento State University; University of Buffalo; City of Toronto; Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall