A 3D-printed car

By Maks Fus Mickiewicz 11 : 12 : 2015 Local Motors : Automotive : The Immortal Brand

Phoenix – Automotive company Local Motors is about to launch the world’s first production 3D-printed car.

Customers will potentially be able to carry out bespoke customisation work on individual parts of a car
A recycling programme means consumers will be able to purchase a service instead of a product

Local Motors is on the cusp of a breakthrough that will revolutionise the way consumers buy cars. Using a modular, 3D-printed production system, the US company wants to let customers physically upgrade their vehicles.

CEO and co-founder John B Rogers is also keen to offer a recycling programme. Local Motors’ mix of plastic and carbon fibre bodies and interiors can be removed, remoulded or even re-installed on a different car.

The company has taken this unique approach to automobile production and made it the core focus of its marketing strategy. Visitors to auto shows in Las Vegas, Chicago and Detroit saw the LM3D Swim model 3D-printed and assembled from scratch on a show floor.

So far there are several prototypes of what Local Motors’ first offering might be. But the company has publicly stated that it will be taking orders for a roadster-style vehicle in spring 2016.

The Big Picture

Modular products tap into people’s environmental concerns. Read our macrotrend on The Immortal Brand to find out why brands want to create services that last for decades instead of products that last for months.