An Example That Could Teach Elio More Than You Might Think...

[Devilstower]

At first glance, the Elio and the Gogoro don't seem to have a lot in common. One is a three-wheeled vehicle designed to be both inexpensive and safe as a daily driver. The other is an electric scooter, with all the limitations that implies, and some decided quirks many of which have to do with its focus on the Asian market.

But... the Gogoro also has a tightly integrated system of sales, maintenance and customization. It has a system in which everything about the vehicles is neatly tracked, not in the "let's push ads at you" sense, but more in the "how can we make you experience with this scooter better" vein.

It's kind of like the Elio... in miniature. With a side order of a truly neat battery management system. But what made me really want to post it here was a first glimpse at one of the shops where Gogoro owners can snap up body parts that just snap in place to customize their machine.

Paul should be bookmarking this article, and watching these people closely.

http://www.theverge.com/2015/6/9/8750399/gogoro-smartscooter-experience-center-taipei

 

[karl]

When they don't tell me how much it costs, the first thought is I can't afford it.

 

[Devilstower]

They haven't announced pricing, but I wouldn't be shocked if the Gogoro was actually more expensive than the Elio. But it's not the vehicles that warrant comparison. It's the business model. Gogoro is establishing the kind of direct-sell and off-the-shelf customization model that Elio has been touting. It's very interesting to see their "experience stores" with the snap-on fender components and think of how this would translate to the kind of customization we're expecting from Elio.

 

[Smitty901]

When they don't tell me how much it costs, the first thought is I can't afford it.

Electric is going to cost you big time, if it is sold here it will cost you and other tax payers big time.

 

[Devilstower]

And other tax payers... why?

As it happens, I drive an electric car. My second one. Enjoy the holy heck out of it.

 

[Rickb]

At first glance, the Elio and the Gogoro don't seem to have a lot in common. One is a three-wheeled vehicle designed to be both inexpensive and safe as a daily driver. The other is an electric scooter, with all the limitations that implies, and some decided quirks many of which have to do with its focus on the Asian market.

But... the Gogoro also has a tightly integrated system of sales, maintenance and customization. It has a system in which everything about the vehicles is neatly tracked, not in the "let's push ads at you" sense, but more in the "how can we make you experience with this scooter better" vein.

It's kind of like the Elio... in miniature. With a side order of a truly neat battery management system. But what made me really want to post it here was a first glimpse at one of the shops where Gogoro owners can snap up body parts that just snap in place to customize their machine.

Paul should be bookmarking this article, and watching these people closely.

http://www.theverge.com/2015/6/9/8750399/gogoro-smartscooter-experience-center-taipei

Cool Scooter, cooler business model! Thanks for the link!

 

[Rickb]

Electric is going to cost you big time, if it is sold here it will cost you and other tax payers big time.

I plan on buying a 2017 Tesla Model 3 so an early thanks to you and other taxpayers for helping me pick up some of the cost. Whaaaaaaaaaaaaat? and the government doesn't big time subsidize gas guzzlers? Will the taxpayer be picking up some of the cost of our Elio's?

 

[BlioKart]

I like the scooter but oddly i see no indication of price. My guess it would be more expensive than a gas scooter. Scooters are inherently fuel economic so I don't much see the point. This must be for well to do Taiwanese people who want to cut emissions.

I like the look of the scooter I could see people buying them here at the right price points.