Aptera Motors Hires Former Saleen CEO Paul Wilbur as Its New Chief Executive

Aptera Motors Hires Former Saleen CEO Paul Wilbur as Its New Chief Executive

Aptera Motors, producer of a three-wheeled electric vehicle, announced today that the company has hired automotive industry veteran Paul Wilbur as its president and chief executive officer.

Wilbur brings 26 years of automotive experience to the Carlsbad, California, startup, ranging from product planning and finance to marketing and product development for Ford and Chrysler.

Most recently, Wilbur was the chief executive of Saleen, a leading manufacturer of high performance cars and trucks, and president and CEO of Detroit-based American Specialty Cars, a tier-1 supplier of open air and convertible roof systems.

"We have searched long and hard for exactly the right leader to help us fulfill the promise of this vehicle," stated Steve Fambro, co-founder and chief technical officer of Aptera. "Paul Wilbur is that leader." 

Aptera, which was to begin production of its fuel-efficient EV (left) early this year, now says it will begin limited production in Southern California and is looking for a high-volume assembly plant location in Southern states.

The company recently began taking reservations for the vehicle, but there's no word on when production of it will begin.

RechargeIT, a unit Google.org started to "accelerate the commercialization of plug-in vehicles," invested $2.75 million in Aptera two months ago.

Plans call for the EV to be available in a $27,000 battery-electric model and a $30,000 gasoline-electric series hybrid -- a gas engine will make the juice for an electric motor that propels the vehicle once the battery's charge is depleted.

Scott Doggett, Contributor

Scott Doggett:  is an AutoObserver.com Associate Editor.