Shreveport Plant Operations And Personnel Questions

[Cali Chris]

Yes.......and in order for that to work the pre-sale customer expectations need to be met or exceeded regarding the vehicle, as well as how we feel about the the final details of the sales and servicing plan. The early adopter Elio owners need to be very enthusiastic and happy with the ride, sales, and service model...........not just yeh......it's o.k. my Elio gets me from point a to b, not much fun to drive and still don't know how the hell I'm going to get it serviced.

The pre-sale system is very important to Elio and we all have a lot of blind faith in Elio.

Check and check. I beleive that has been achieved already. I have yet to see anyone that physically see's the Elio state that they disliked it. Most rave about it and some point out small things they dislike, but in the end everyone seems to love it. I think the Elio will end up having a cult following and become an American icon.

 

[Rickb]

I'd be interested in how it would be if an investor were to try to finance this. I think this car would do well in Asia especially. However, I know the car is supposed to be American made but I don't know how much America can support a car like this by itself, since it will be a niche market car.

It's not a niche market vehicle, in my opinion, but rather an affordable first vehicle, a commuter vehicle, a city vehicle, a retirement vehicle, or recreational vehicle. If done right Elio has the opportunity to reserve a space in every american's driveway. I think Elio wants all of those demographics.

 

[goofyone]

Yes.......and in order for that to work the pre-sale customer expectations need to be met or exceeded regarding the vehicle, as well as how we feel about the the final details of the sales and servicing plan. The early adopter Elio owners need to be very enthusiastic and happy with the ride, sales, and service model...........not just yeh......it's o.k. my Elio gets me from point a to b, not much fun to drive and still don't know how the hell I'm going to get it serviced.

The pre-sale system is very important to Elio and we all have a lot of blind faith in Elio.

People excited and enthusiastic about this vehicle will be the majority of the people willing to place money down on an Elio ahead of production without all the details in place. The simple answer to most questions at this point is we don't yet know for sure what will happen as we are still a year away from production and longer from retail availability.

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[Craig]

East and West coast is very expensive. They already have cheap access to a port in Shreveport. The shipping cost from there would probably be more cost effective than building or acquiring manufacturing plants on the east or west coast. If the export is small then they may do bulk rail shipping to east and west coast rail yards since they will have to ship large quantities of vehicles there already. I'm no expert, but it seems logical. Any thought?

From a manufacturing point of view. Distance is time and time is money. Considering they were going to use an old AT&T building as a back up, I can't imagine it costing very much to set one up.

We are talking way in the future, and not at the same time. I think east coast first, Europe and India, all with sales equaling or more than the U.S

South Carolina on the east coast at that new port they are enlarging. They are very business friendly. West coast will be more expensive. Maybe Washington or Oregon, I don't know which is better as far as labor. Unless you think the cost of shipping cross country will stay where it's at, or drop, than all bets are off. JMO

 

[Craig]

It's not a niche market vehicle, in my opinion, but rather an affordable first vehicle, a commuter vehicle, a city vehicle, a retirement vehicle, or recreational vehicle. If done right Elio has the opportunity to reserve a space in every american's driveway. I think Elio wants all of those demographics.

 

[Edward]

Check and check. I beleive that has been achieved already. I have yet to see anyone that physically see's the Elio state that they disliked it. Most rave about it and some point out small things they dislike, but in the end everyone seems to love it. I think the Elio will end up having a cult following and become an American icon.

Well, now you have. I think it's ugly as sin and my friends and family are all laughing at me for even considering it. But as long as the warranty service situation gets straightened out, 9 gallons of gas per week is a lot cheaper than 26.

 

[Edward]

It's not a niche market vehicle, in my opinion, but rather an affordable first vehicle, a commuter vehicle, a city vehicle, a retirement vehicle, or recreational vehicle. If done right Elio has the opportunity to reserve a space in every american's driveway. I think Elio wants all of those demographics.

But those are niches. And because it looks so different from the majority of cars on the road, it's always going to have a small market share of those niches.

 

[Lil4X]

You can be assured that Elio's production will be in a right-to-work state:

At least in the early phases of production, EM does not need to deal with the forced unionism that killed off Detroit. Michigan has since rejected forced unionism as of this time last year, so maybe they might get some of the auto and other manufacturing industry back that moved to the South, Central and Mountain states to avoid the wage and benefit giveaways. The cost of labor (wages and benefits) destroyed the US car industry, particularly in the North (read "Rust Belt" here).

 

[Rickb]

Check and check. I beleive that has been achieved already. I have yet to see anyone that physically see's the Elio state that they disliked it. Most rave about it and some point out small things they dislike, but in the end everyone seems to love it. I think the Elio will end up having a cult following and become an American icon.

I hope so! You can't love it until you drive it! You can love the concept. I personally won't know for certain until I drive it........and feel comfortable that there is a quality, relatively convenient service plan in place......that works. I too hope it's another Beetlemania.

If it doesn't drive reasonably well for it's class, is unreliable, and I can't get it conveniently serviced with a smile......I will get a reservation refund......plain and simple.........as will many others. Then it would be a pre-production cult following (of which I am/was a member) and no American Icon status to follow. Again. I hope it's meets or exceeds our expectations and becomes the American Icon you feel it will.

 

[Kuda]

From a manufacturing point of view. Distance is time and time is money. Considering they were going to use an old AT&T building as a back up, I can't imagine it costing very much to setting one up.

We are talking way in the future, and not at the same time. I think east coast first, Europe and India, all with sales equaling or more than the U.S

South Carolina on the east coast at that new port they are enlarging. They are very business friendly. West coast will be more expensive. Maybe Washington or Oregon, I don't know which is better as far as labor. Unless you think the cost of shipping cross country will stay where it's at, or drop, than all bets are off. JMO

Canada will be 1st after USA, then Mexico & SA, prev. stated (by Elio) then Europe & Asia& Australia.........