For $6800. it worries me !
For $9999.00 I would be willing to put down 50% !
For $15,000. I would make three payments of $5000.00 each ! deposit, when my number came up for manufacture, balance COD before it leaves the factory !!
As I have said many times, I have been involved with three wheelers for over 20 years.
Mike Corbin had the SAME VISION as Paul Elio, if you find an old brochures they speak identical language about commuters in big SUV's , etc. CorbinMotors made 275 Sparrows, and had the battery technology been ready the idea was awesome !
three wheels
one door
"motorcycle"
etc
at THAT TIME, California was pushing automobile manufactures they had to have a percentage of their product sold in California to be HOV Capable. So the "plan" was someone (GM, Ford, etc) would buy up Corbin and the Sparrow would fill that requirement. The stock would make all of us RICH !
Now I live in the Caribbean, driving on narrow roads on the left side, and the center position of the Elio will be perfect. I have Grinnall Scorpion three wheeler here with a 135 HP BMW engine, it is flawless…
there is NO WAY they can get mass production up fast enough to overcome the individual production costs of the first few thousand units !
the concept is PERFECT !
the TIMING is right on !
the technology plans concern me, I would rather have a choice of a bare-bones KISS for $6800. (simple semi-enclosed motorcycle) with an option to upgrade on "stuff", such as a/c, airbags, ABS, etc ...
motorcycles do NOT have a/c, heat, airbags, etc etc etc
look at the Can Am Spyder, which (to my surprise) has made it, and now are upwards of $25,000. !!
I expect next year there will be announcements that the price has been increased to $15,000 and they have already calculated the percentage of people who will bitch but keep in , those who will walk away and lose their deposits, and then those who will jump in immediately to take over those deposit positions at the new increased price !
Look at TESLA !! The new Model S !! those prices are constantly moving !
just look at the Yamaha TW200 Motorcycle, which has been in production since 1987 ! it is the PERFECT simple motorcycle concept, and the difference between $5000. to $6800. , this is the most popular motorcycle in the Caribbean ...
200cc
18 HP ?
two wheels
current list price about $5000. !!
fully enclosed a/c airbags, etc Elio for another $1800. ????
not possible, UNLESS ….90% is manufactured in CHINA, and simple robotics assembly down in Louisiana !!
the average NEW Harley leaves the shop with an additional $3500. in accessories put right on ! Those "accessories" are
MADE IN CHINA !!
would anyone really care if the parts were made in China ??
Paul Elio is NOT STUPID ! He has a PLAN, it has gotten him this far ! I truly believe this three wheeled motorcycle will be manufactured !
the "REST OF THE STORY " ??