Lets say Elio can build 400 cars a day. How many can they deliver at the factory a day?
Can you imagine 400 people showing up at a dealership trying to buy a car!
as discussed, if Elio doesn't have a delivery contract that requires all vehicles produced to be shipped, and if they can arrange a place at the factory to handle having the customer come to pick it up, I can see that as good marketing strategy .... it would save the customer a deliver charge but I can see them still having to pay a dealer prep charge .... if there are things that a dealer is expected to do to the vehicle prior to delivery, those things still have to be done .... in addition, the reputation for quality (good or not so go) that Elio earns as their vehicles hit the road really matters .... I was once told that with a Honda Gold Wing that you can buy it in NC, drive it off the lot and head for California .... don't know if that's true or not but they carried that reputation for quality of construction ... I'd be much more likely to go to the factory and pick one up if Elio earns that level of reputation
Jim