I can see a scenario where Elio is close to their stated production price and eat the cost difference for the reservationists as long as they don't dip too far into their profit per vehicle. Say they do get the cost down to $7,500 per vehicle with $1,000 profit in there. They already lose $500 of that matching our $1,000 all-in reservations which only leaves them $500 to profit. If they sold them at cost as a good will jester (or to ensure we continue to support them and are happy so we keep advertising free), the car would then be at $7,000. Most people will get a few options added on and with a little creative accounting, the base car could still be $6,800 but the accessories would then make up the difference. It's doubtful that Elio could manage that because without profit, they'd be relying on green credit sales to carry them through that first year. At full tilt, they COULD build about 500/day on one line which means that the "no-profit" time period would be about 6 months. Which, if they do like most manufacturers, could carry them far enough into 2016 to introduce the "New, 2017 Elio with larger trunk, improved aerodynamics, automatic remote latte maker, only $7,650* ". The "first year" production could be however long it takes to build all the reserved cars. Anyway, sorry I rambled...