Tough Sell?

[Jeff Porter]

It's true that there may be less interest in the Elio, if gas is at a national avg of $1.99 if/when production starts. However, here are the facts, according to gasbuddy.com (dates & prices are approximate):

National Avg Price:
March 1 2013 - $3.79
Nov 10 2013 - $3.19
April 27 2014 - $3.69
Sept 1 2014 - $3.40
Dec 9 2014 - $2.60
Feb 1 2015 - $2.02
March 1 2015 - $2.45
June 16 2015 - $2.79
Oct 1 2015 - $2.29
Jan 28 2016 - $1.81

We can discuss and disagree about why prices are the way they are, but looking at the numbers... in less than the last 3 years, prices fluctuated a lot, sometimes over an 8-month period and sometimes in a 1-month period.

This past summer, I really thought gas would be above $2.75 in rural KS by Jan. 1 2016. *buzzer* it was closer to $2.00.

There's no way to know what the natl avg price will be in a year, 2 years, 3 years. One thing for sure: gas prices will be the highest in the western U.S. and in the New England states. It's all relative of course: Paying $3+ for gas in southern CA seems like a bargain when it was $4.70+ 3.5 years ago.

 

[slinches]

Even if gas was free, I'd probably buy an Elio just to get access to the HOV lane.

 

[HonestTex]

Regardless of gas prices, safety ratings, or production date, I am buying an Elio because I want one...

 

[Elio Amazed]

It's so very unfortunate that, while individually, we are probably the most intelligent species...
But collectively, we can never seem to get our poop together as well as even simple bees and ants.
We are a reactive species, not a pro-active one, much to our, and the entire planet's, misfortune.

Sad. So very sad.

 

[BlioKart]

I am still buying at low gas prices. We all know this low gas price will end eventually. I think Elio hits two good points low entry $ point and gas savings. Unless a 5000$ car becomes available for sale in america Elio is ahead. The cheapest car is still the Nissan Versa @12K you could almost buy 2 Elios for that price

 

[Elio Amazed]

I am still buying at low gas prices. We all know this low gas price will end eventually. I think Elio hits two good points low entry $ point and gas savings. Unless a 5000$ car becomes available for sale in america Elio is ahead. The cheapest car is still the Nissan Versa @12K you could almost buy 2 Elios for that price

Absolutely agree.
But history tells us that we're preaching to a very small choir here as long as the national average is $1.81 a gallon.

My point is that they're still your average simple humanoids that don't normally like "risks" or change.
They're not going to react or even worry unless faced with immediate and pressing stimuli.

 

[pistonboy]

Preaching to the Choir!

That is what I fear happens on this website. We all reinforce each other how great the Elio is and we believe all the rest of the world sees it the same way. I fear we may have made a mistake. Neither auto show (NY and LA) produced the large number of reservations we expected. It looks like the rest of the world may not be as enthused as we are about the Elio. It will be interesting if there is an upswing in reservations as a result of the TV advertising ad. I am worried.

 

[BlioKart]

Absolutely agree.
But history tells us that we're preaching to a very small choir here while the national average is $1.81 a gallon.

My point is that they're still your average simple humanoids that don't normally like "risks" or change.
They're not going to react or even worry unless faced with immediate and pressing stimuli.

Pain = change

Cheapest in my area is 2.39

 

[TCBronson]

Preaching to the Choir!

That is what I fear happens on this website. We all reinforce each other how great the Elio is and we believe all the rest of the world sees it the same way. I fear we may have made a mistake. Neither auto show (NY and LA) produced the large number of reservations we expected. It looks like the rest of the world may not be as enthused as we are about the Elio. It will be interesting if there is an upswing in reservations as a result of the TV advertising ad. I am worried.

You make a good point we are all enthusiastic because we see what could be, but I am not worried.......yet. LOL

 

[BlioKart]

Preaching to the Choir!

That is what I fear happens on this website. We all reinforce each other how great the Elio is and we believe all the rest of the world sees it the same way. I fear we may have made a mistake. Neither auto show (NY and LA) produced the large number of reservations we expected. It looks like the rest of the world may not be as enthused as we are about the Elio. It will be interesting if there is an upswing in reservations as a result of the TV advertising ad. I am worried.

I am surprised not much of an uptick happened from either show. I think the ads will help and hurt. People will look into Elio and see negative articles about it. Others will maybe join in or at least see the potential of Elio.