Kandi Electric

[TexasTesla]

Parts and service availability will always be an issue for these limited production EV startups.

And of course, there’s always the question who will handle vehicle recalls and warranty repairs.

Just so many logistic hurtles for limited production EV startups.

 

[RSchneider]

Parts and service availability will always be an issue for these limited production EV startups.

And of course there’s always vehicle recalls and warranty repairs.

Just so many logistic hurtles for limited production EV startups.

That's a concern for me. Think about it. If someone buys a FUV, Solo or Kandi in my area and the gearbox takes a dump 2 weeks after I receive it, how does that get repaired? How does warranty work? I know I could fix it but if there's a warranty, it's not my problem, it's theirs. These are the major issues that I could see that could result in bad PR down the road because all it takes, is one person to scream online and it becomes a major issue that the company was selling a product without proper warranty and service after the sale.

I'm all happy for these startups but if the produce breaks down and it's under warranty, I'm stuck if they don't have something ready to go to get my EV back on the road. If my I3 takes a dump, BMW can fix it. If I bought a Slingshot, there are three dealers within 100 miles of my house. Even Vanderhall has a dealer 35 miles away and when I talked to them, they will send for a tow truck, pick it up, take it back, fix it and then deliver it to my house all for free if it's under warranty.

 

[3wheelin]

That's a concern for me. Think about it. If someone buys a FUV, Solo or Kandi in my area and the gearbox takes a dump 2 weeks after I receive it, how does that get repaired? How does warranty work? I know I could fix it but if there's a warranty, it's not my problem, it's theirs. These are the major issues that I could see that could result in bad PR down the road because all it takes, is one person to scream online and it becomes a major issue that the company was selling a product without proper warranty and service after the sale.

I'm all happy for these startups but if the produce breaks down and it's under warranty, I'm stuck if they don't have something ready to go to get my EV back on the road. If my I3 takes a dump, BMW can fix it. If I bought a Slingshot, there are three dealers within 100 miles of my house. Even Vanderhall has a dealer 35 miles away and when I talked to them, they will send for a tow truck, pick it up, take it back, fix it and then deliver it to my house all for free if it's under warranty.

I think you guys are jumping to conclusion without much knowledge of how FUV, SOLO, etc will be serviced once in the hands of real owners! Suggest contact Electra Meccanica for information on this concern and be enlightened. Thinking of gloom and doom ahead are a little naive. I'm not shelling out upwards of 40K to get an EV (i3) so I'll let the company worry about it, besides it'll be just my "AND" 3wheeler which I would enjoy getting my hands dirty. Heck, it might just be my perfect next project to convert it from EV to ICE with a small 3cyl. engine.

 

[mkiker2089]

I see that their price is dependent on a 7500 tax credit to bring it down to 12k. That's more reasonable.

I won't get one because it's super tall which is a pet peeves of mine but I still find it interesting.

 

[mkiker2089]

Better to compare the production model SOLO than an early render. Also, it’s more important to compare performance/handling specs.
View attachment 23355

I'm not likely to buy either so I'm just looking at cosmetics. The Solo is a little off somehow. I think it's too wide at the front maybe. It's sweet from the rear and side though. I can't put my finger on it.

 

[RSchneider]

I think you guys are jumping to conclusion without much knowledge of how FUV, SOLO, etc will be serviced once in the hands of real owners! Suggest contact Electra Meccanica for information on this concern and be enlightened. Thinking of gloom and doom ahead are a little naive. I'm not shelling out upwards of 40K to get an EV (i3) so I'll let the company worry about it, besides it'll be just my "AND" 3wheeler which I would enjoy getting my hands dirty. Heck, it might just be my perfect next project to convert it from EV to ICE with a small 3cyl. engine.

I have contacted both and it's very murky. I just worry that having such a great product can be ruined if the customers have a problem after the sale. Assuming that all owners will wrench on their own car is not the way to go. Many do not have the ability, space or desire to do so. Why would I wrench on my brand new FUV when I wouldn't if I bought a brand new Versa. I can buy a new Versa for $12K right now but a FUV is $20K. Pay more to work on it myself?

Only reason I got an I3 is because I bought it at salvage and got it dirt cheap. I know what i was getting into. If I would have bought it new and it broke, I would not be fixing it myself if it was under warranty. This is an issue that these new companies need to address. Elio already has and they are 100% covered with service, warranty and factory trained technicians. As for these others, It's a mystery and that tells me they are hoping everything will work out for a future program rollout.

 

[mkiker2089]

The solo shouldn't need much service. It'll need suspension and alignment work occasionally.

Beyond that, once the cars roll out if enough hit an area people who can work on them will as well.

As for my statement about "Tesla alternative" I didn't mean that this is going to take from Tesla. I mean that it's something for people who like the idea of Tesla but don't want to invest in a luxury barge. The people who would be in a Prius is the price were better perhaps. The people who liked the Volt but not it's price either. Right now EVs are too expensive to compete but that's changing.

 

[Rickb]

I'm not likely to buy either so I'm just looking at cosmetics. The Solo is a little off somehow. I think it's too wide at the front maybe. It's sweet from the rear and side though. I can't put my finger on it.

The SOLO and Elio enclosed three wheelers both look off because we are looking at motorcycles with a car mindset. Take on the autocycle mindset and they look just fine. The key is how those three wheelers drive and whether or not we like the styling enough to buy and drive one.

The Arcimoto FUV looks more like the motorcycle classed vehicle it is, so doesn’t look off at least to my critical eye. It is what it is plus a little more with 1/2 doors and full enclosure options. The plus on the FUV is I know how it performs and handles......like a spaceship.

Regarding EV service, there are few parts to break down. My local certified mechanic will be able to handle brakes, tires, wipers, nuts and bolt issues with the assist of Arcimoto technical assistance. I don’t expect motor or battery issues, but will deal with it if problems arise. There will be contracted Arcimoto certified service techs and or an Arcimoto Rentail Center Rollouts if or when sales go crazy as they expand beyond the initial Tri-State delivery area (Oregon, Washington, and California). No different than my initial concerns about service and warranty work on my Elio. There is always Pepboys.

 

[RSchneider]

The solo shouldn't need much service. It'll need suspension and alignment work occasionally.

Beyond that, once the cars roll out if enough hit an area people who can work on them will as well.

When you get your Solo and two days after that it's DOA where you turn it on and nothing happens, are you willing to diagnose and work on it yourself? If you are, then that's great. problem is, it it requires a mechanic with a full blown shop to own one then that is a problem for everyone else. I could work on work but I expect that when they say "warranty" and give the specs for it, that they will live up to that as opposed to me taking the bulk of the responsibility. If they want me to do that, then sell it without any support or warranty for a greatly reduced price. I've been through this with parts that people want from China on an industrial machine. In the end, they are upset when a gearbox or sensor takes a dump a month later. If they chose the German one that cost 50% more but would literally last 10X longer and has an ironclad warranty, they wouldn't be in the predicament they are in. A Solo, FUV or Kandi is just a machine and thus will fail in a certain number where you can't throw a bush fix at them.

Consider yourself lucky that you have the knowledge and full blown shop to fix things. You are not the norm for the customer they will go after.

 

[Rickb]

I have contacted both and it's very murky. I just worry that having such a great product can be ruined if the customers have a problem after the sale. Assuming that all owners will wrench on their own car is not the way to go. Many do not have the ability, space or desire to do so. Why would I wrench on my brand new FUV when I wouldn't if I bought a brand new Versa. I can buy a new Versa for $12K right now but a FUV is $20K. Pay more to work on it myself?

Only reason I got an I3 is because I bought it at salvage and got it dirt cheap. I know what i was getting into. If I would have bought it new and it broke, I would not be fixing it myself if it was under warranty. This is an issue that these new companies need to address. Elio already has and they are 100% covered with service, warranty and factory trained technicians. As for these others, It's a mystery and that tells me they are hoping everything will work out for a future program rollout.

Drive What You Like, Like What you Drive, but there is no comparing the Versa to the Arcimoto. Proof of statement: I will buy and drive an FUV, but have no interest in a Versa even if you gifted one to me. Although, I could sell it and buy a base model FUV.

Note on Service and warranty work: You make assumptions there won’t be a servicing plan and early Elio reservationists will have the same issues/concerns when Elio delivers.