3-D printed car makes a stop at El Camino College in Torrance

TORRANCE, Calif. (KABC) -- From sweets to tools, 3-D printing is sparking creativity and functionality. But a 3-D printed car is a first, and it made a stop at El Camino College in Torrance.

"The process to build this car took about two years, from idea to actual fruition," said Greg Jones, vice president of Smartforce Development, AMT.

Local Motors, an Arizona-based company, teamed up with an Italian auto designer and others to build the electric vehicle, which took 44 hours to print.

It's called Strati, which means layers in Italian. The car's body, seats and structure were all printed using plastic and carbon fiber compounds.

"Technology advances really quickly, doesn't it? It could happen in two years. To get from idea to printing it at IMTS, it only took us about two years," Jones said.

The Strati is still in its prototype phase, but its makers hope it will encourage students to careers in math and science.