Orders for all the raw material were placed 5-10 days ago, depending on which item, including the largest batch of hardware we have ever ordered. Most items are shipping to us this week.
The aluminum parts are all sourced, and our preferred suppliers ready to start production early next week. Final C.A.D. is in their hands now. Parts must be production-sampled and approved, then produced, quality-checked, anodized, and shipped.
There are very many small changes in the car. In some cases it's to make the car faster, like a new motor plate that will lower the motor slightly.
We test extensively right in public before we release anything for you -- it's right or we don't do it. Testing has shown one Cubed part as originally designed sometimes breaks in a particular spot; I think 4-5 of the original 16 cars. So a new design of that part has been produced and is in testing now. The new part is 50% wider in the area that breaks and the whole thing is 25% thicker.
The body supplier was to be chosen last Friday, and that is the last news Darren had. However, an exciting possible supplier asked us to delay until yesterday so he could sharpen his pencil. Decision will be reached today and the O.E.M. contract awarded. Body design work will begin immediately.
Remember there is still much to do. Producing parts and putting Kits in boxes is only part of it. It takes me about a week to write the instruction manual, and I can't start until I have parts in my hands. Then another week to print the first batch.
We must have a final body in our hands, get it to the painter, get stickers for it, then get to a place where we can take photos. Then design the label, and have it printed.
When we first started X Factory back in 2003, who woulda thunk we would be publishing books and producing artwork? It all seemed so easy then...
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