RonnieB
Elio Aficionado
I would like to see the 100 fleet cars sent out into the field for testing. I know we need to get the E Series out first but once the public starts to see the 100 fleet cars they are sure to get some news coverage on TV 
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Jeff Johnson Interview - Autoline After Hours #347 - 9/16/16
- Thread starter Jambe
- Start date
Ekh
Elio Addict
The fleet cars will go out into the world for testing -- that's what they're for. But if you meant they should go out for test driving, where in heck is Elio going to get the resources to handle the cars and supervise all the test drives? That's way down the road from here. But letting commercial fleets do the testing -- it's Elio's basic Tom Sawyer principle at work once again: get other people to do the dirty work and pay you for the privilege!I would like to see the 100 fleet cars sent out into the field for testing. I know we need to get the E Series out first but once the public starts to see the 100 fleet cars they are sure to get some news coverage on TV
If my idea is intriguing, maybe someone could start a new thread. Is it doable to make only one transmission which could easily be switched from manual to automatic and back? Best of both worlds, it would be! (yes, that is a Geo in my avatar, and it is, unfortunately, an automatic that only gets 35 mpg)
Frim
Elio Addict
I believe that the MT and the AMT are the same transmission. However, switching them back and forth would be problematic. There are many differences in the control of the transmission: clutch, shift computer, and linkage to mention only the beginning. Others will be more informed than I.
Interesting comments regarding the fact that the MT will be available before the AMT. I had already planned to get the MT. In fact about 3 months ago I was sent a detailed survey/questionnaire on what I would order. If these went out to all the reserve clients then EM likely has some preliminary numbers on percentages MT/AMT. Like one poster suggested they would likely fork the reservations into 2 buckets MT & AMT and the ones choosing MT would get theirs 1st and bumped up with the split. I would IMAGINE however EM will do the right thing and offer AMT reservists the option to choose MT and move up delivery.
One thought is most if not nearly all fleet vehicles in the US are automatic trans (except hauling commercial trucks and vans) due to variables in skills of employees/operators and many not knowing how to drive a stick/MT. So will the fleet tests be AMT or mix AMT/MT?
One thought is most if not nearly all fleet vehicles in the US are automatic trans (except hauling commercial trucks and vans) due to variables in skills of employees/operators and many not knowing how to drive a stick/MT. So will the fleet tests be AMT or mix AMT/MT?
Ty
Elio Addict
It won't make sense to produce only MT and then switch to AMT. They won't do that. Not only would that not be fair, it doesn't add a manufacturing advantage. Most likely, the AMT isn't ready because it has to be linked to the engine and AISIN needs a vehicle in order to do that. Physically, the transmission can be put in just as fast as the MT, if not sooner, because it's already being built. The problem is most likely software related. I'm sure they'll have that sorted out before production starts and THAT may be the cause of the belief they'll make MTs first. They'll make all these early ones MT until AISIN can finalize the interface and THEN, you'll probably see most if no all of the 100 pre-builds from Shreveport as AMTs.
EM also release a CYA comment on Jeff's interview; seems that some of his comments were not quite <ahem> correct, and he talked about a few things he really didn't have the full knowledge about. This is covered in this thread about 6 or 7 pages back.
Just a little FYI
Just a little FYI
Ekh
Elio Addict
I'm having trouble locating that post. There is one in which they answered our guy's inquiry with "he probably meant they will build automatics one day and standards the next," which is nonsensical on the face of it, given that the car will sell 10 automatic for 1 standard (once the early nutters like us are out of the way).
Trusting
Elio Addict
Me too. Just the basic car with an automatic. There are some options I would like but I'll resist for now. I want to see what the after market will offer before I buy.
webartist
Elio Aficionado
As I posted earlier in this thread, I sent EM a question on 10/2/16 concerning the Jeff Johnson comments about AMTs. I did not expect a quick answer but have always gotten a reply in about three days max. I expect there is some back peddling going on with the VP's comments and they are trying to develop a response for the masses. I expected the Friday EM email to address his comments but I see that did not happen. In most cases the Friday mailing has become trite and old news these days. EM is a very small company and I would be surprised if the VP of Engineering would be out of tune with development plans and vehicle production, but we will see.
I try to be a realist and I do not see things going well with the 23 engineering vehicles for their suppliers and final development. They supposedly said "all engineering is complete", so the technology decisions to put in the vehicle should be firm and when. For example, they have some serious work to do if the are going to engineer three air bags in the Elio and certainly you would think the transmission supplier would be one of the first to get a test Elio.
I try to be a realist and I do not see things going well with the 23 engineering vehicles for their suppliers and final development. They supposedly said "all engineering is complete", so the technology decisions to put in the vehicle should be firm and when. For example, they have some serious work to do if the are going to engineer three air bags in the Elio and certainly you would think the transmission supplier would be one of the first to get a test Elio.