Elio's Retail Strategy

[Coss]

That all I get, but the actual logistics of shipping (eventually 100,000- 250,000 units per year seems a major block)
rounding off on the lowest numbers--
200,000 @50 weeks =2,000 per week= 400 per day
from one manufacturing center to 8,9,10 staging areas (rounding off) scattered over the country= 40 each Staging areas no matter the size will need replenishing to meet the various orders, and finishing up extras
we need how many trucks on the road daily delivering to staging areas?? 10 loaded per truck (rounding off)= 4 trucks delivering, no problem? out and back empty locally- how about to Seattle? 4 out-4 back daily?, rounding off low
how many trucks/day do we need daily delivering to stores? (can be as far as 900 miles each way?)
The big guys use the railroads, deliver a variety of models can drop-off, and pick-up from dealers (never dead-ended) - Have you Ever bought a car to find out the dealer you are visiting doesn't have it in stock? will take a few days?
In summary, we have 8 staging areas ( 9, one on site) that will need to have their stock replenished daily with the 14 models, if they sold, five Y_ _ ll _w with auto in one store another overnight delivery problem.
Amazon uses ALL shippers, nothing as big as an autocycle, and most small, light orders (with priority 2 day shipping) Bigger stuff not eligible for 2 days.
So EM will do it with one shipping Company, 14 items?
When I ride the interstates I see Walmart trucks and Yellow Freight (none of which can carry 10 autocycles. )
This will require a sh_t load of trucks on the road daily. AND that -all is based on just 200,000 units per year.
Not to forget, snow,fog,rain,construction, sick-call-ins, break-downs, accidents and giving10 units per transporter. Trains- ?? may reduce the shipping costs, but time is still against us
NO WAY can PE keep the concept of overnight ordering with next day delivery. , , with all the other initial outlines P.M was offering--, 84mpg, 5 star crash rating ,and for $6800, this too will be added to the list, when the reality bites.
Anyway- go hawks,
thanks I feel a bit better- bring it on- please go easy (:-(.
Personally, with my grand-daughter and her family moving to Vashon Island last month (20 minutes from Seattle), and motorcyles moving to the fron of the line paying much less than a car (especially with senior rider) The new Sparrow (CRS) is only a few hours test drive away (with low border traffic)

But that's when the numbers reach that many a year; and your Elio delivered in 24 hours is now; everything is subject to change.
So when they reach the 200K to 250K a year, it could be a completely different policy, and a different model of distribution.
Getting to when the existing model no longer works, they should have a different model waiting in the "wings"

 

[Rob Croson]

Luckily, EM doesn't have to deal with the logistics of delivering that many Elio's. That's the whole point of partnering with a dedicated logistics company. It's their specialty. Give them the job, and let them work out how to get it done. Then get back to your real job, which is figuring out how to get them damn things built in the first place.

Anyway... even if Elio has to back off the original promise of next day delivery of completely customized vehicles, it would still be groundbreaking to make it possible for, say, second-day delivery.

 

[RUCRAYZE]

When my tractor was delivered it was only 3 that would fit on the flatbed. Clearly, for 10 you are looking at car carriers. Can you really fit 10 Elios on one. You are correct to point out that this is a HUGE logistics challenge. I'm expecting the delivery charge to be in the $500-$900 range. I don't see "volume" changing that much.

I think the consensus of folks here comes up with about the same shipping charges. As discussed, the delivery charge will be the same throughout the lower 48 . AND the charge will be the same if you pick it up @ the factory or Seattle.
I wish us all luck.
BTW, I had spoken to Jerome (going back 2 years now) about the possibility of a fly-in, and a couple days complimentary service at a local casino.
Specifically for fly-ins only- that will be great to help reduce initial deliveries, and pick-up your E from the factory.
For some here the casinos will do well with so many of us "gamblers" already, not to mention drinking.
Careful at the all-you-can-eat buffets - every pound you gain will reduce the mpg!!

 

[Coss]

Luckily, EM doesn't have to deal with the logistics of delivering that many Elio's. That's the whole point of partnering with a dedicated logistics company. It's their specialty. Give them the job, and let them work out how to get it done. Then get back to your real job, which is figuring out how to get them damn things built in the first place.

Anyway... even if Elio has to back off the original promise of next day delivery of completely customized vehicles, it would still be groundbreaking to make it possible for, say, second-day delivery.

Agreed; and who knows, maybe they may already have a volume plan; so as it hits different demands, different methods may already be in place and we don't know about it.

 

[TheAsterisk!]

In the store you would be able to do a test drive, see and touch accessories, and they'll have people there that can answer questions.

That is what I'm waiting on. If only a few locations opened up initially, or if there might be some sort of an event for it using late E1-series or early production vehicles in the future, I'd consider making a trip to actually test it out, get a feel for it. I'm wary as heck about committing money to something for which I can't do an informal hands-on evaluation myself, despite that I'm enthusiastic about their basic approach to the platform and business. I suspect there many are others like me, in this regard, and this is also something the retail centers would address.

As it stands, though, I'm going to have to deal with a 1.5 to 2.5 hour drive (each way) towards Chicago once they do have retail centers for a test drive, unless another opportunity presents itself. That is their only planned location in Illinois. Otherwise it's a 2.5-3 hour drive to St. Louis, or a 3 hour drive into Indiana. All that in mind, I'd easily consider a daytrip or weekend trip to test drive a production (or production-equivalent) Elio once they're being made, since that's pretty close to what they've already pitched, as far as it relates to me.

 

[RUCRAYZE]

That is what I'm waiting on. If only a few locations opened up initially, or if there might be some sort of an event for it using late E1-series or early production vehicles in the future, I'd consider making a trip to actually test it out, get a feel for it. I'm wary as heck about committing money to something for which I can't do an informal hands-on evaluation myself, despite that I'm enthusiastic about their basic approach to the platform and business. I suspect there many are others like me, in this regard, and this is also something the retail centers would address.

As it stands, though, I'm going to have to deal with a 1.5 to 2.5 hour drive (each way) towards Chicago once they do have retail centers for a test drive, unless another opportunity presents itself. That is their only planned location in Illinois. Otherwise it's a 2.5-3 hour drive to St. Louis, or a 3 hour drive into Indiana. All that in mind, I'd easily consider a daytrip or weekend trip to test drive a production (or production-equivalent) Elio once they're being made, since that's pretty close to what they've already pitched, as far as it relates to me.

If things go according to current plans. Traveling with two to the store, ordering/test driving/financing- find a nice place to stay overnight, pick up your E next day, then the two of u drive home in 2 cars ( some folks are planning to use a trailer)
BTW, when you get the opportunity=, I've NEVER seen anyone who isn't smiling when sitting in, and getting out of the E. Sooooo much concerns are instantly melted away- ease of entry, visibility, the cool factor of using either window to stick your arm out, and the overall quality.size "feel" are an instant bond.
I think they are planning a reservationist only events to test drive 'em before the stores.
good luck to us all

 

[Ty]

That all I get, but the actual logistics of shipping (eventually 100,000- 250,000 units per year seems a major block)
rounding off on the lowest numbers--
200,000 @50 weeks =2,000 per week= 400 per day
from one manufacturing center to 8,9,10 staging areas (rounding off) scattered over the country= 40 each Staging areas no matter the size will need replenishing to meet the various orders, and finishing up extras
we need how many trucks on the road daily delivering to staging areas?? 10 loaded per truck (rounding off)= 4 trucks delivering, no problem? out and back empty locally- how about to Seattle? 4 out-4 back daily?, rounding off low
how many trucks/day do we need daily delivering to stores? (can be as far as 900 miles each way?)
The big guys use the railroads, deliver a variety of models can drop-off, and pick-up from dealers (never dead-ended) - Have you Ever bought a car to find out the dealer you are visiting doesn't have it in stock? will take a few days?
In summary, we have 8 staging areas ( 9, one on site) that will need to have their stock replenished daily with the 14 models, if they sold, five Y_ _ ll _w with auto in one store another overnight delivery problem.
Amazon uses ALL shippers, nothing as big as an autocycle, and most small, light orders (with priority 2 day shipping) Bigger stuff not eligible for 2 days.
So EM will do it with one shipping Company, 14 items?
When I ride the interstates I see Walmart trucks and Yellow Freight (none of which can carry 10 autocycles. )
This will require a sh_t load of trucks on the road daily. AND that -all is based on just 200,000 units per year.
Not to forget, snow,fog,rain,construction, sick-call-ins, break-downs, accidents and giving10 units per transporter. Trains- ?? may reduce the shipping costs, but time is still against us
NO WAY can PE keep the concept of overnight ordering with next day delivery. , , with all the other initial outlines P.M was offering--, 84mpg, 5 star crash rating ,and for $6800, this too will be added to the list, when the reality bites.
Anyway- go hawks,
thanks I feel a bit better- bring it on- please go easy (:-(.
Personally, with my grand-daughter and her family moving to Vashon Island last month (20 minutes from Seattle), and motorcyles moving to the fron of the line paying much less than a car (especially with senior rider) The new Sparrow (CRS) is only a few hours test drive away (with low border traffic)

Adessa will deliver to the marshaling centers. Each marshaling center will be able to complete all their Elios for delivery by midnight. I've run the numbers and number of stations they'd have to man to make it happen. The number of Elios going through their shop, etc... I have some experience in Logistics AND as an Industrial Engineer for GM, of course. 3 hours will be plenty of time to stage and option out the Elios from each marshaling center (once they are up and running. I suspect that the stores will transmit build sheets as they get them. There's no reason for a car ordered at noon to NOT be assembled before midnight. There's not much reason to wait. They'll have areas set aside for each store where they can put the finished Elios till they have a load built at which point, they'll head to the store to deliver them. When a store closes new orders at 9pm, they'll send the last of their orders to the marshaling center they use. Anyway, because of the "plug and play" method of accessory installation, I don't see why Elio wouldn't be able to deliver cars the next day AFTER they've filled the pre-orders.

 

[RUCRAYZE]

thanks for your in sites and information.
It just seems insurmountable for me who has not a clue how it's possible to get a unit within 24-48 hours.
When we meet at the nationals, I'll buy the beer!!

 

[Coss]

thanks for your in sites and information.
It just seems insurmountable for me who has not a clue how it's possible to get a unit within 24-48 hours.
When we meet at the nationals, I'll buy the beer!!

Once you have established buying patterns, the marshalling centers will know what to keep in inventory; so maybe it's white automatics, and red stick, along with black automatics and stick; they will know how often that combination is ordered in certain parts of the country. So a marshalling centers would always have X amount of those colors on hand; and another marshalling that's serving a larger area (or smaller) and if one center runs out of a certain color, they would contact other centers and do trades or rebalance in inventory.
One thing I find interesting is when we talk about retail centers, there is a mention of "the stores would send in their orders" well I have to correct; the stores are going to have kiosks and to quote EM "people there that can help you with ordering your Elio"; so all the Elio's will be ordered online no matter if your at home or a store, or work or wherever you are and can get an internet connections. You order your Elio, not a store; this tells me they are doing a centralized data center that sends the Elio to the correct place, whether it's to your house or back to a store or wherever you specify you want to have it delivered. That will be an IT nightmare if something goes haywire; I hope they have decent geeks to set all this up and keep it running.

Phewww another explanation that took way to many words to explain.
Please tell me it makes sense

 

[RUCRAYZE]

Once you have established buying patterns, the marshalling centers will know what to keep in inventory; so maybe it's white automatics, and red stick, along with black automatics and stick; they will know how often that combination is ordered in certain parts of the country. So a marshalling centers would always have X amount of those colors on hand; and another marshalling that's serving a larger area (or smaller) and if one center runs out of a certain color, they would contact other centers and do trades or rebalance in inventory.
One thing I find interesting is when we talk about retail centers, there is a mention of "the stores would send in their orders" well I have to correct; the stores are going to have kiosks and to quote EM "people there that can help you with ordering your Elio"; so all the Elio's will be ordered online no matter if your at home or a store, or work or wherever you are and can get an internet connections. You order your Elio, not a store; this tells me they are doing a centralized data center that sends the Elio to the correct place, whether it's to your house or back to a store or wherever you specify you want to have it delivered. That will be an IT nightmare if something goes haywire; I hope they have decent geeks to set all this up and keep it running.

Phewww another explanation that took way to many words to explain.
Please tell me it makes sense

Yes it does, but...... o k lets wait it out.
How do you think folks will pay for it? for cash N.P. but financing will require human intervention i.e. financial guy coordinating with financial institutions ( even with E M credit card will require credit approval. )
then I was thinking small ,and wondering if the units are shipped with empty gas tank, and will be filled with (one ) gallon of gas- that should easily get you to a nearby station.!!! So either the stores, factory, or centers will have pumps? I seriously doubt, the usual complimentary full tank of gas and "mat" will be possible with their close selling margin .

From the land of($5-$6)dollar lattes here in Seattle, how about a cafe in each store, Paul has certainly set the stage with cup frequently in hand.
The E.M special- triple shot with sugar and cream- get a sugar and caffeine rush which should make it appear the E is going faster as you drive away.
Then Starbucks should also supply a special cup (in a choice of eight colors) with the E M logo!! (you-all know the 8th color, that which cannot be spoken)
Stop me please!!! :-)
Catch ya later- off to spend grandpa quality time-I moved here from Florida for these magic moments with Luna Day she's one year Friday on this her second birthday!!!.(I remember this on a thread too)
Got a Moon tattoo on one arm a Sun on the other. Hopefully, she'll inherit her grandpa's old E ( and not have to wait until it's in production ) TG my daughter didn't name her Francine!! Now if only E could develop and mature as quick as she....... ( me smiling)