DeLorean EVs Building Buzz With Sir Patrick Stewart, But Are Crypto Car Inroads Functional?
DeLorean Labs — the crypto arm of the famously 80s DeLorean Motor Company, immortalized in the Back to the Future films — announced this week they are collaborating with Sir Patrick Stewart to promote the highly anticipated upcoming DeLorean electric car.
“They say the best way to predict the future is to create it,” Stewart, known for his role as Captain Picard in Star Trek, stated in promotional video footage.
The DeLorean Labs operation has launched on-chain vehicle reservations using Sui NFTs for the upcoming $2.5k-priced DeLorean Alpha 5 EV — a vehicle expected to be manufactured for the first time in over 40 years. Sources indicate initial paint options are expected to include classic red, white and gray. Production is tentatively scheduled for around 2027.
The operational websites for the DeLorean car company, its crypto arm DeLorean Labs, and the legendary 80s classic car division are currently distinct but separate. However, all facets clearly fall under the umbrella of DeLorean Motor Company.
Significant blockchain integration is planned, including the launch of a DMC token, token staking features, and a dedicated onchain marketplace for both vehicle reservations and potential resale. Furthermore, the company anticipates securing vehicle statistics on their respective blockchain ledger once the automobile is finally released to the market.
This ambitious integration is being powered by the Sui blockchain. Notably, DeLorean Labs is migrating their existing ‘legacy’ Build Slot NFTs (roughly 1,300 were sold back in 2023 on Polygon) directly to the Sui ecosystem and its new management infrastructure. Those early NFT holders are guaranteed priority access to the first production runs of the vehicle.
DeLorean Labs’ President, Evan Kuhn, confirms, “Originally we were going to launch the build slot NFTs on Polygon, [but] there were some technical restrictions,” he explained via email. “DeLorean partnered with Sui Foundation and Mysten Labs as the Move language was very conducive to our enterprise goals and development requirements.”
To secure a reservation, prospective buyers must register a dedicated DeLorean account. They must also connect or establish a Sui (Slush) crypto wallet and purchase an Alpha Club membership — priced at a fixed $88 fee — before acquiring a Build Slot NFT, which ultimately leads to the high-priced Alpha 5 EV.
These Build Slot NFTs are available for $2,500 individually on DeLorean’s NFT marketplace. Each NFT effectively secures a buyer’s position in the eventual line formation for the vehicle, with lower numbered reservations prioritized. Alternatively, Alpha Club members can participate in an NFT bidding process, allowing them to acquire Build Slot NFTs at prices potentially above or below the standard $2,500, though that exact amount is only credited toward future vehicle acquisition.
However, the question of total vehicle production volume and precise pricing remain unspecified. While Evan Kuhn acknowledges possibilities ranging from 1,300 to 10,000 vehicles could be manufactured annually, he reinforces the brand’s intention to operate as “a low-volume, more exclusive car brand.”
No official Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the Alpha 5 EV has been released, though industry analysts have speculatively suggested a price point in the vicinity of $125,000. The prospect of long wait times also remains, with buyers potentially facing wait periods sufficient to recover their $2,500 investment.
Assessments of the car itself note, “The car looks great so far — like a Tesla mixed with a Porsche,” yet the model is currently seen as more concept than consumer reality, lacking a substantive timeline or test drive opportunities.
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