Lets Help Em Find $500.

[goofyone]

I'd happily be in for another $500, it's still less than half the cost of the Polaris Slingshot and it doesn't even have a roof...albeit it does have 3x the power..but still, even if it's hiked up to $7300, show me a better deal in the auto industry.

$7300 plus the cost of a nice engine swap, Ford 1.0L EcoBoost , and you still would not spend anywhere close to what a Slingshot cost.

Now if you figure out how to cram a 2.0L Ecoboost in an Elio with 252 HP and 270 lb ft. of torque you would have one wild and crazy ride. I have seen those from Ford Motorsports available new on the internet for $5500 however this would likely also require a new tranny but it would be so worth it to blow the doors off a Slingshot!

 

[BillJ]

Elio said that 6800.00 is a "target", not a guaranteed price... If it comes in a little higher, so be it. I'll gladly pay it, and once this thing gets produced the price will likely go up a little bit anyway, as demand will be overwhelming!

 

[Jeff Bowlsby]

The challenge of this thread is to generate ideas to help achieve the pricing goal...not to just agree to pay the $500 overage, whether or not you are willing or able to do so.

G1, you may be right about the economies of installing/not installing the A/C, but that is a big ticket item and I suspect there could be some significant savings in its deletion across the board, as unpopular as that would be. A/C is not on the four must haves list and it can be installed aftermarket, as was done all the time in the 50s through the 70s.

The list of items I initially suggested are just a start...more importantly what else can you suggest that could be considered to achieve the $6800 goal?

EM is on record of this statement in a few recent postings. See their posting from CES just today as one example. We all are "Us".

I think it would be a waste for EM to give us radios that just get ripped out because they are cheesy. Leave it out and save the cost, even if it is pure profit to EM. Lots of basic cars did not come with factory radios, they were aftermarket.

 

[Rickb]

Good customer strategy to let Paul know you are willing and happy to pay over $6800.......no biggie.
$6800 and not a penny more! Let's make him stay true to his target price. LOL Even though his 2008 target price point was $7300......not to mention the inflation factor.

I think Paul Elio is the king of knowing precisely what he can and can't cut on his Elio to stay as close to his target as possible and build the vehicle with the base features he wants to include.

 

[ncarter124]

The challenge of this discussion is to generate ideas to help achieve the pricing goal...not to just agree to pay the $500 overage, whether or not you are willing or able to do so.

G1, you may be right about the economies of installing/not installing the A/C, but that is a big ticket item and I suspect there could be some significant savings in its deletion across the board, as unpopular as that would be. A/C is not on the four must haves list and it can be installed aftermarket, as was done all the time in the 50s through the 70s.

The list of items I initially suggested are just a start...what else can you suggest that should be considered to achieve the $6800 goal?

EM is on record of this statement in a few recent postings. See their posting from CES just today as one example. We all are "Us".

I think it would be a waste for EM to give us radios that just get ripped out because they are cheesy. Leave it out and save the cost, even if it is pure profit to EM. Lots of basic cars did not come with factory radios, they were aftermarket.

Correct, the problem is parts-wise they have contracted already, so things like checking for a cheaper brand of tires, etc are now impossible as those brands have been picked. I think as far as creature comforts that has been discussed.
I personally believe no A/C will kill it. There will be a LOT of people including myself that will be pretty irritated if that is deleted...to the point where Elio can keep my $1000 if that happens.

My only suggestions really are carpet to rubber mat, possibly cheaper tires in the Cooper line however this is doubtful, smaller wheel covers or even an open wheel design and make the covers a cost option and possibly making the A/C a cost option depending on manufacturing logistics.

 

[goofyone]

The challenge of this discussion is to generate ideas to help achieve the pricing goal...not to just agree to pay the $500 overage, whether or not you are willing or able to do so.

G1, you may be right about the economies of installing/not installing the A/C, but that is a big ticket item and I suspect there could be some significant savings in its deletion across the board, as unpopular as that would be. A/C is not on the four must haves list and it can be installed aftermarket, as was done all the time in the 50s through the 70s.

The list of items I initially suggested are just a start...what else can you suggest that should be considered to achieve the $6800 goal?

EM is on record of this statement in a few recent postings. See their posting from CES just today as one example. We all are "Us".

I think it would be a waste for EM to give us radios that just get ripped out because they are cheesy. Leave it out and save the cost, even if it is pure profit to EM. Lots of basic cars did not come with factory radios, they were aftermarket.

I actually do not have a problem with any of these ideas at all just trying to keep it realistic in terms or real world savings.

The A/C thing is merely one of those weird things that happens in volume manufacturing.

 

[Jeff Bowlsby]

First off bravo, a very interesting post idea that could possibly help with the goals.

1. Professionally explain to the buyers that as hard as they tried the new price will be 7,300 but production will start xxxx date. For this missed expectation we will continue the $500 bonus to 60,000 preorder units. Which will still technically give us all the original 6,800 goal.
2. Send out order and accessory forms 6 plus months prior to start Assess what percentage of people are actually doing a rare base model only (not even auto trans) as they can Easily make up margins on Any accessories. My guess is they could profit 50-60 percent on any add ons. Looking over this forum as a baseline I can see Many people with a full punchline of do dads they wish for. $$$ If after the forms are received the determine margins are still not fully covered, See Item #1 above.
3 Offer a Limited addition or Premium serial number model or selection at a Premium! They promised us a number in line but not an actual VIN number off the line. I for one (and I am sure others) would pay 10-20% premium to have a 00001-000025 VIN. While it does not seem like a hot idea as soon as they announce the actual build date people will hunt for these numbers and a collector piece from when automotive history was made. Or say a simple "Signature addition". The entire Elio crew possibly the entire assembly line sign the inside trunk lid (or inner hood). Again, a limited addition of history in the making.
4 Go with the one rumor and only offer a standard black or white. All other color options are $300 premium. For the record they never guaranteed these were not options from the beginning. Besides, I have yet to see a car company that does not charge for a premium color option or coating.
5 Off item 2 above, offer a (not actually promised for free) factory tour and delivery package. A simple lunch, personal tour of the factory line, another shirt, gift bag, and your on your way. Would I pay an additional 200-300 for this. Yes. Corvette charges 1500 for this experience.
6 See item 1 above but as a consolation to the lost bonus include a $500 accessory gift certificate for the Elio online store. Makes the lost bonus seem mute and it assures them they will at least recover 2-250$ on the purchased accessories. Little game Harley plays with every sale. You can't leave without a $600 Harley jacket and $800 exhaust which they make 80% on.

While not the best ideas I think they can find MANY ways to keep this both profitable and still maintain the original goal. The last thing I feel they should do is start Removing radios, carpet, AC, or any of the things the preached from day one or they will forever become negative marketing bate for all the nay-sayers. Thats my wishful hope.

Great ideas :thumbs up: Attaboy

 

[ncarter124]

First off bravo, a very interesting post idea that could possibly help with the goals.

1. Professionally explain to the buyers that as hard as they tried the new price will be 7,300 but production will start xxxx date. For this missed expectation we will continue the $500 bonus to 60,000 preorder units. Which will still technically give us all the original 6,800 goal.
2. Send out order and accessory forms 6 plus months prior to start Assess what percentage of people are actually doing a rare base model only (not even auto trans) as they can Easily make up margins on Any accessories. My guess is they could profit 50-60 percent on any add ons. Looking over this forum as a baseline I can see Many people with a full punchline of do dads they wish for. $$$ If after the forms are received the determine margins are still not fully covered, See Item #1 above.
3 Offer a Limited addition or Premium serial number model or selection at a Premium! They promised us a number in line but not an actual VIN number off the line. I for one (and I am sure others) would pay 10-20% premium to have a 00001-000025 VIN. While it does not seem like a hot idea as soon as they announce the actual build date people will hunt for these numbers and a collector piece from when automotive history was made. Or say a simple "Signature addition". The entire Elio crew possibly the entire assembly line sign the inside trunk lid (or inner hood). Again, a limited addition of history in the making.
4 Go with the one rumor and only offer a standard black or white. All other color options are $300 premium. For the record they never guaranteed these were not options from the beginning. Besides, I have yet to see a car company that does not charge for a premium color option or coating.
5 Off item 2 above, offer a (not actually promised for free) factory tour and delivery package. A simple lunch, personal tour of the factory line, another shirt, gift bag, and your on your way. Would I pay an additional 200-300 for this. Yes. Corvette charges 1500 for this experience.
6 See item 1 above but as a consolation to the lost bonus include a $500 accessory gift certificate for the Elio online store. Makes the lost bonus seem mute and it assures them they will at least recover 2-250$ on the purchased accessories. Little game Harley plays with every sale. You can't leave without a $600 Harley jacket and $800 exhaust which they make 80% on.

While not the best ideas I think they can find MANY ways to keep this both profitable and still maintain the original goal. The last thing I feel they should do is start Removing radios, carpet, AC, or any of the things the preached from day one or they will forever become negative marketing bate for all the nay-sayers. Thats my wishful hope.

All of this... especially the factory tour. I was debating that with a new Z06 before I decided on a Hellcat, and they were going to charge $900 for the museum delivery, another $800 I think for the factory tour and yet another $500 for a photo album of your car being built....and those Vette guys gobbled it up... and all of this was on top of the normal destination fee. I am wondering if Elio will have one and how much? They might be able to add another $100 or so to it, maybe more.
I especially like the VIN idea, and premium paint colors are good as well as many cars do that and a lot of buyers go for premium colors without a second thought.

 

[Jeff Bowlsby]

lose the seat belt. are you crazy. thats alot of deaths. im fine paying extra 500. no biggie. good luck selling your car in the resale market with no seatbelts. I would cacel the purchase w/o a seatbelt. PE would be crucified. his big sellig point is safety and now the car has no seatbelts.

A misunderstanding. The cost savings proposed was only to delete the rear seat (padding) and rear seatbelt, making them optional items. Front seat and seatbelt to remain as factory standard.

 

[ncarter124]

I must admit I included the paint option idea as a suggestion but also out of greedy self interest...... When I first ordered my Elio all in 2 years and 2 days ago (1/6/13) I thought for sure How many other people are going to be as crazy as me and want that odd looking orange car??? Dam if that didn't back fire, looking over this forum it looks like 80% of the cars will look like mine! While I doubt a couple hundred dollar premium for Hemi orange will detract many peoples decision I had to come clean. Lol.

Forgot a few:
7 While this was discussed and still a sad memory why not offer a "Z" model?? While some can interpret it as a remembrance to someone special others may just want something slightly different. How many cars on the market today have a simple "Z" on them and sell like Hot cakes?? Z28, Z06, 280Z I could go on for days. Say a single "Z" chrome emblem next to the Elio logo and on the dash, and a 9$ accent pin strip. $250 option and Elio donates %50 of the accessory to a charity in her name.

350z, 370z, z71, etc... another fantastic idea. To be honest I was pondering True Blue because I discovered the same thing... Creamsicle will be VERY popular.

Another option I'd consider would be to have something similar to the Harley Owners Group (HOG) where it is a yearly membership, I believe theirs is $40, nothing crazy, and then have a quarterly magazine sent out to the club members from other members with stories of road trips, get togethers, mpg saving tips, maintenance tips, things of that nature. Of course this requires some leg work to get something like that off the ground, but it has been done and can be done with Elio Motors. I guarantee with the time some of us have put into the forum, they (myself included) would be more than happy to pitch in on something like that.