LM3D Swim, Local MotorsUS – Four months after revealing the designs for LM3D Swim, the first vehicle has been produced by the direct digital manufacturing (DDM) methodology which includes 3D printing. Presales of the car, which will cost around $53,000, will begin in spring next year, while manufacturing and delivery are expected in early 2017.

Local Motors says its product development team was able to progress quickly from concept to car by using software from Siemens, including Solid Edge. The materials for building the body of LM3D Swim were provided by SABIC. The cars will be made at the Local Motors ‘microfactory’ in Knoxville, Tennessee, which is currently under construction and due for completion by the end of the year.

Speaking at the SEMA show in Las Vegas, Nevada, Local Motors CEO Jay Rogers said that DDM is enabling the company “to create new vehicles at a pace unparalleled in the auto industry”. Local Motors plans to release several more 3D-printed models in 2016.

www.localmotors.com

Topics