I Have Given Up On Elio, Have You?

[3wheelin]

The whole ELIO mission is doomed from the get-go when PE actually believed that his infamous "half a car, half the price" will actually work. Putting a price of 7k before a single prototype is in place sealed it's fate. I'm actually surprised how he managed to convinced some top names in the industry to get on board on his fairytale idea.

 

[Rickb]

The whole ELIO mission is doomed from the get-go when PE actually believed that his infamous "half a car, half the price" will actually work. Putting a price of 7k before a single prototype is in place sealed it's fate. I'm actually surprised how he managed to convinced some top names in the industry to get on board on his fairytale idea.

It’s not unusual for top automotive brands to indicate interest in providing parts should a concept vehicle cross the retail production start line. $7000? Check out the initial marketing ULTRA LOW PRICE, ULTRA HIGH MILEAGE, TOP RATED SAFETY, SPEED TO MARKET bullet points below :

When I happened across the Elio Marketing campaign, I thought to myself WTF!, a typical drive train would cost more than that, as I locked in my $100 refundable reservation deposit to show interest, just in case it happened in the stated 15 months to market. It was a fun three wheeler adventure having discussion with some fun 3wheelin people, while sharing interest in an affordable dream. The 3 wheelin dream continues for a few of us.

 

[Aufgeblassen]

It’s not unusual for top automotive brands to indicate interest in providing parts should a concept vehicle cross the retail production start line. $7000? Check out the initial marketing ULTRA LOW PRICE, ULTRA HIGH MILEAGE, TOP RATED SAFETY, SPEED TO MARKET bullet points below :

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I thought to myself WTF!, a typical drive train would cost more than that

What really amazes me about auto prices, is that at end of 1997, I bought a 1998 VW Jetta TDI for around $16K. Not long after, the new restyled 1999 model came out, and the TDI was about $20K. The other day at a VW dealership, I spied a 2020 Jetta "R" model (not base model) for only about $24K. How can they sell it so cheap all these years later?

 

[Watashiwah]

“When I happened across the Elio Marketing campaign, I thought to myself WTF!, a typical drive train would cost more than that, as I locked in my $100 refundable reservation deposit to show interest, just in case it happened in the stated 15 months to market. It was a fun three wheeler adventure having discussion with some fun 3wheelin people, while sharing interest in an affordable dream. The 3 wheelin dream continues for a few of us.”
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Rickb, did you get your $100 back, no problem?

 

[Rickb]

“When I happened across the Elio Marketing campaign, I thought to myself WTF!, a typical drive train would cost more than that, as I locked in my $100 refundable reservation deposit to show interest, just in case it happened in the stated 15 months to market. It was a fun three wheeler adventure having discussion with some fun 3wheelin people, while sharing interest in an affordable dream. The 3 wheelin dream continues for a few of us.”
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Rickb, did you get your $100 back, no problem?

Yes, EM refunded within a month after my request without issues.

 

[BADBOY]

I took risk laying a grand down that I could get one of the few thousand I thought could get made as I did in 2006 with Pontiac Solstice and 1974 Fiero. Even if the company did not prove viable I wanted to have one of those on the road. It just did not get that far. It was exciting for a time. I like unusual cars and here is a picture of what y first looked like although mine was maroon and had Chevy spinner hubcaps. I liked it better than the 57 Chevy.
https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/sport-fury-sensation-1959-plymouth-sport-fury

 

[RSchneider]

"half a car, half the price"

I never understood how anyone could believe that. It's probably 80% of a normal cheap car but not 50%. Even if it was 50%, that would mean his operating cost would have to be 50% too. So, utilities, taxes, maintenance and insurance need to be 50%. You then need to pay the employees 50% or somehow do it with 50% less employees than anyone else. This is not just the plant but the whole operation. Last time I checked, when you are a startup and buying parts, you don't get the best deal. A company that makes window regulators is not going to give Elio the same price as a company like Ford. Ford consumes way more window regulators. They probably buy more regulators in 2 weeks than Elio would in a year.

 

[3wheelin]

I never understood how anyone could believe that. It's probably 80% of a normal cheap car but not 50%. Even if it was 50%, that would mean his operating cost would have to be 50% too. So, utilities, taxes, maintenance and insurance need to be 50%. You then need to pay the employees 50% or somehow do it with 50% less employees than anyone else. This is not just the plant but the whole operation. Last time I checked, when you are a startup and buying parts, you don't get the best deal. A company that makes window regulators is not going to give Elio the same price as a company like Ford. Ford consumes way more window regulators. They probably buy more regulators in 2 weeks than Elio would in a year.

"I never understood how anyone could believe that" really??? Try the 77K+ reservation holders who "understood" (key word here) the risks involved and no matter how crazy the idea was sent their money anyways to "support" (key word here) a newcomer in the industry.

 

[Johnny Acree]

I believe, anyone who reads this,,, has not given up.

 

[Coss]

Agreed, actually not given up, and believes in Elio that it is going to happen.
Miracles do happen and when you least expect them to.