MakerBot Revs Up Toyota's Presence at New York International Auto Show with 3D Printed FT-1 Concept Car

NEW YORK--April 28, 2014: The New York International Auto Show roared into the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center this week and Toyota, the world’s top automakers, made a splash with 3D printed versions of its FT-1 concept car by MakerBot, a global leader in the desktop 3D printing industry.

“It is remarkable that MakerBot technology can help automotive manufacturers like Toyota with design methodology, manufacturing and QA processes”

From now through April 27, visitors to the Toyota exhibit can view the FT-1 concept car on display and watch as a scaled-down model is 3D printed on a MakerBot® Replicator® 2 Desktop 3D Printer. Visitors interested in 3D printing can also participate in a daily drawing to win a MakerBot Replicator 2 for the remainder of the auto show.

“Automotive manufacturers have always been enthusiastic and early adopters of 3D printing, starting 25 years ago when 3D printing was first introduced,” noted Bre Pettis, CEO of MakerBot. “3D printing brings an affordable and immediate impact to the development and design of cars. A concept designed in a CAD file can be 3D printed, reviewed and immediately tested for consumer feedback. When Toyota proposed creating a 3D printed version of the FT-1 concept car at the New York International Auto Show, we immediately jumped on board for the ride.”

“It is remarkable that MakerBot technology can help automotive manufacturers like Toyota with design methodology, manufacturing and QA processes,” said Mark Schulze, MakerBot’s vice president of sales. “This demonstration proves that previously unthinkable solutions to everyday problems can now be found by giving engineers access to 3D printers.”

MakerBot was also on hand at the Toyota Arcade on April 16, a media party hosted by Toyota at the Standard Biergarten, in conjunction with the two-day New York International Auto Show press preview. On display at the event was the Toyota FT-1 in addition to two MakerBot Replicator Desktop 3D Printers 3D printing keychain-sized models of the FT-1 in real time for partygoers. MakerBot also provided 3D trophies for winners of the Toyota FT-1 editors’ challenge, which took place during the event.

The New York International Auto Show is open to the public now through April 27; show hours are Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan. To learn more, visit autoshowNY.com.

About MakerBot

MakerBot, a subsidiary of Stratasys Ltd., is leading the Next Industrial Revolution by setting the standards in reliable and affordable desktop 3D printing. Founded in 2009, MakerBot has built the largest installed base of desktop 3D printers sold to innovative and industry-leading customers worldwide, including engineers, architects, designers, educators and consumers. The MakerBot 3D Ecosystem drives accessibility and rapid adoption of 3D printing and includes Thingiverse.com, the MakerBot Digitizer Desktop 3D Scanner, the MakerBot Replicator line of Desktop 3D Printers, MakerBot Desktop, the MakerBot MakerCare® Protection Plan, the MakerBot Retail Stores and strategic partnerships with top-tier brands. MakerBot has been honored with many accolades, including Popular Mechanics’ “Overall Winner” for best 3D printer, Time’s “Best Inventions of 2012,” Popular Mechanics’ “Editor’s Choice Award,” Popular Science’s “Product of the Year,” Fast Company’s “One of the World’s Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Consumer Electronics” and many more. Join the Next Industrial Revolution by following MakerBot at makerbot.com.