The main advantage of 3D printing in an automotive context is flexibility. Since tooling won’t have to be created for individual parts, changes can be made more easily to the design.
This plays right into Local’s community-based method.
The exact shape that will come out of that machine is still up in the air.
Local says the car will be “purpose-built for the urban transportation needs of Chicago” but hasn’t revealed any specific information about it. That will have to wait until the 2014 International Manufacturing Technology Show, which runs September 8-13.