Autoevolution Article Date 09/24/2014

[BillZ]

by Gabriel Brindusescu
24th September 2014, 09:35 UTC

Those of you who supported Elio Motors with cash in its startup phase, you can rest assured as the company will start manufacturing the small economic trikes next year, according to its last report.

The money raised so far helped Elio Motors to buy a former GM manufacturing facility in Shreveport, Louisiana. The company now has a place to start the business, but it seems like the remaining funds are not enough to begin production. Luckily, the facility comes with extra equipment that can be sold.

"One of the keys to producing a low-cost vehicle is ensuring maximum efficiency in our manufacturing operations," said Paul Elio, CEO of Elio Motors. "Our team recently cleared an important first step by determining what existing equipment in Shreveport is mission-critical and what equipment can be sold. This level of detailed planning and execution is putting the processes in place to make Elio Motors a world-class manufacturer."

Make it, check it, sell it, buy it, drive it, like it, stop pollutin'

Elio and its manufacturing partner Comau now plan to contract 30 people to assist selling the unwanted equipment. After the new funds will complete the manufacturing process’ requirements, the company is expected to create more than 1,500 jobs in Shreveport and begin producing small 84 mpg three-wheelers next year.

The small P4 weights only 1,250 lb (567 kg) and gets powered by a 3-cylinder gasoline engine, which translates into a fuel consumption of 49 mpg in the city and 84 mpg on the highway (4.8/2.8 l/100 km). And apart from the impressive mileage, the car will also offer a fully enclosed cabin fitted with electric windows, two seats, air conditioning, 3 airbags and a roll cage. ABS and stability control will also be offered as standard on the $6,800 car.

The vehicle prototype is currently on a country tour, hoping to attract more potential buyers. More than 34,000 people have made reservations for the vehicle by donating money to the company to help it get things moving.
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http://www.autoevolution.com/news/e...ction-phase-should-start-next-year-86966.html

 

[Neal]

Nice find

 

[JEBar]

The small P4 weights only 1,250 lb (567 kg) and gets powered by a 3-cylinder gasoline engine, which translates into a fuel consumption of 49 mpg in the city and 84 mpg on the highway (4.8/2.8 l/100 km).

for most of the EPA mileage ratings I see the city mileage is around 75% of the highway mileage .... example : our Chevy Silverado 18 city 24 highway .... if the ratings for the Elio prove to be as expected 49 city 84 highway, the city mileage will only be 58% of the highway rating .... as exciting as getting 84 mpg in highway driving is, the reality is most folks will be doing a good bit of city type driving .... I hope this is understood because I seldom see anyone one quote 49 mpg in their comments .... if the Elio proves to get 84 mpg highway, that doesn't mean owners can automatically expect to get that mileage .... having unrealistic expectations can prove to be a significant disappointment

Jim

 

[RKing]

In estimating what I can expect from Elio ,I take my actual MPG vs the rated MPG ratio and apply to the Elio 84 number. I come up with 74.6 for my expected tankful MPG. I agree fully that unrealistic expectations are a very real concern. I just finished spreadsheet to calculate estamated total cost of ownership over 200000 miles using realistic numbers. Comes out about 12 cents per mile and that assumes you scrap the vehicle for 0 dollars at the end of the 200000 miles.

 

[ross]

In estimating what I can expect from Elio ,I take my actual MPG vs the rated MPG ratio and apply to the Elio 84 number. I come up with 74.6 for my expected tankful MPG. I agree fully that unrealistic expectations are a very real concern. I just finished spreadsheet to calculate estamated total cost of ownership over 200000 miles using realistic numbers. Comes out about 12 cents per mile and that assumes you scrap the vehicle for 0 dollars at the end of the 200000 miles.

I commute 65 miles one way with 3 stop signs between home and job, speed limit 55 halfway 70 mph the other half, little to no traffic, same for the return trip. If I got 50 mpg it would double what I'm getting now.
Current vehicle 07 PT cruiser with 240,000 miles (runs great) previous vehicle 85 diesel rabbit with 445,000 miles.
I expect my elio to succeed 200 or even 300 thousand miles and anything over 50 mpg for msrp of $6800 I'm all in for a grand just can't get it soon enough! Believe me I think about it every other day when I fuel up.

 

[JEBar]

I commute 65 miles one way with 3 stop signs between home and job, speed limit 55 halfway 70 mph the other half, little to no traffic, same for the return trip. If I got 50 mpg it would double what I'm getting now.

that sounds exactly like the type of commuting the Elio was designed for

Jim