Is open community product design something that we in the UK should be promoting? Well, with cars like the Rally Fighter being produced we think it’s a goer!
If you do happen to be the Barranca Park Way area of Los Angeles on Saturday, then make sure that you drop in on the Cars and Coffee event which is being held at the Mazda headquarters. Organised by Local Motors, community members will have the opportunity to see the first prototype of the Rally Fighter.
Designed by Sangho Kim, the Rally Fighter is a $50,000 off road (but street legal) racer. The diesel car is designed to be used in the desert, however Local Motors claim that the Rally Fighter will handle well on-road driving at an efficient 30+ mpg. The car has taken many months of research and development and it will be available to buy in June of this year, However, potential buyers can order their own custom built model now for £5,000 deposit.
Local Motors is a great example of community based product design. LM members have the opportunity to upload their own car designs which are then voted for by other group members. Popular designs are then developed and built by the Local Motors community. As the car designs are developed openly, members can help choose designs, fixtures and fittings and they also have the final say on where the vehicle will be available to buy.
Has anyone in the UK yet made one? I would be very interested in building and or buying one.
Many thanks.
Hi James
Not that we’ve heard directly, but thanks for your message, because this has rekindled our interest in this fascinating project. It seems to be gaining momentum with an impressive number having been built. I couldn’t find exact numbers anywhere on their site, but looking at the owners map the highest I found was #130. There is one owner in the UK in Bushy Hertfordshire.
Interestingly there are quite a few forum members in the UK, so if I were you I’d join the forum and see if you can whip up some collaborators! Sounds awesome. We’d be keen to come and see the build if you get going so stay in touch.
Find some other UK owners here: Local Motors Forum UK members.