No Guarantees...

[3wheelin]

Nor would a lot of other reservationists. It is a typical part of a startup's marketing strategy to get early adopter reservations to show venture capitalists there is demand for the concept. I actually believed Paul Elio's we have the funding back in 2014 and his 2014-15 production schedule and really knew better having put refundable deposits down on a couple of concepts that turned to vaporware.

The Elio will probably make it to production (2018 is my guess because crap will happen when the 15 month production schedule actually starts) because of the 45,000 + reservations and their continued support, although no guarantees according to EM's SEC filing document and contracts with new reservationists. I've been following Elio since '08 and getting a little weary supporting the effort, but still do with a pinch of skepticism.

Let's wait and see how the LA Auto Show P5 Reveal goes before we get overly critical. The P5 photos look promising to date and hope it doesn't turn out to be:
View attachment 7412

The P5 could be a turning point for EM so our ELIO "dream" could be a "reality" sooner that later.

 

[Bilbo B]

The P5 could be a turning point for EM so our ELIO "dream" could be a "reality" sooner that later.

I think it's too late for 'sooner'. Maybe 'less later than later'?

 

[RUCRAYZE]

I think it's too late for 'sooner'. Maybe 'less later than later'?

Best!!

 

[Inigo93]

When I put my deposit down I was thinking that the Elio would be the car I purchased when my son went off to college (kid taking a car with him meant that I would need another....). The Elio wasn't ready. The kid went off to college. I bought a motorcycle.

Now I'm hoping that the Elio will be a nice replacement for the day my motorcycle wears out.

But I'm certainly not holding my breath.

 

[RUCRAYZE]

When I put my deposit down I was thinking that the Elio would be the car I purchased when my son went off to college (kid taking a car with him meant that I would need another....). The Elio wasn't ready. The kid went off to college. I bought a motorcycle.

Now I'm hoping that the Elio will be a nice replacement for the day my motorcycle wears out.

But I'm certainly not holding my breath.

you might just be able to give him the Elio as a graduation gift!!

 

[3wheelin]

you might just be able to give him the Elio as a graduation gift!!

There are those who have time in their hands to wait it out and there are those who have a few driving years left due to their age and felt betrayed by years of delayed target dates that they didn't signed on. Like it or not, that's the reality for us that placed our trust and hard earned money to EM to be a part of one person's dream of someday, his ELIO will become a reality. 2016? 2017 and beyond and I say FUHGETABOUTIT!

 

[JEBar]

in thinking back, I don't recall anyone forcing/coercing/begging me to put money down as a reservation (the same will be true when Crowd Funding comes along) .... I don't recall anyone forcing/coercing/begging me go "All In" instead of "Want In" .... I do recall EM stating goals, I don't recall anything set in stone .... did I read the statement giving the terms I was agreeing to prior to putting money down, yep .... am I happy that there have been delays, certainly not ..... am I disappointed that there have been delays, absolutely .... am I growing any younger, nope will turn 69 next month .... do I understand how others can suffer some anxiety, certainly .... do I understand the prevalent I want it now mentality, yep .... would I love to have ours sitting out in the driveway right now, you bet .... do I have any sympathy whatsoever for those who have and probably will continue to come unglued/angry/depressed/stressed out/highly frustrated when the process hasn't gone smoothly, nope .... if the production date is delayed again, will I be happy, nope .... will that sour me on the project, nope .... to place a reservation a person should have been an adult and known what they were getting into .... if they claim they didn't, as an adult they should have .... show me documentation where a person was given concrete promises that haven't been kept and that would change everything .... until then, I can't muster much sympathy

stepping down from soapbox ..

 

[RUCRAYZE]

There are those who have time in their hands to wait it out and there are those who have a few driving years left due to their age and felt betrayed by years of delayed target dates that they didn't signed on. Like it or not, that's the reality for us that placed our trust and hard earned money to EM to be a part of one person's dream of someday, his ELIO will become a reality. 2016? 2017 and beyond and I say FUHGETABOUTIT!

Pease don't mistake my attempts at humor , sarcasm and double entendre as trolling. . JE posted above my reality of this project. I live on the dark side, which my therapist says my ADD distorts my perceptions.

 

[3wheelin]

Pease don't mistake my attempts at humor , sarcasm and double entendre as trolling. . JE posted above my reality of this project. I live on the dark side, which my therapist says my ADD distorts my perceptions.

Lol. I agree with JE too so to those angry, frustrated, disappointed, disgusted, etc. take two aspirins and call me in the mornin'!

 

[Rickb]

in thinking back, I don't recall anyone forcing/coercing/begging me to put money down as a reservation (the same will be true when Crowd Funding comes along) .... I don't recall anyone forcing/coercing/begging me go "All In" instead of "Want In" .... I do recall EM stating goals, I don't recall anything set in stone .... did I read the statement giving the terms I was agreeing to prior to putting money down, yep .... am I happy that there have been delays, certainly not ..... am I disappointed that there have been delays, absolutely .... am I growing any younger, nope will turn 69 next month .... do I understand how others can suffer some anxiety, certainly .... do I understand the prevalent I want it now mentality, yep .... would I love to have ours sitting out in the driveway right now, you bet .... do I have any sympathy whatsoever for those who have and probably will continue to come unglued/angry/depressed/stressed out/highly frustrated when the process hasn't gone smoothly, nope .... if the production date is delayed again, will I be happy, nope .... will that sour me on the project, nope .... to place a reservation a person should have been an adult and known what they were getting into .... if they claim they didn't, as an adult they should have .... show me documentation where a person was given concrete promises that haven't been kept and that would change everything .... until then, I can't muster much sympathy

stepping down from soapbox ..

In all fairness to some of the disappointed reservationists, I recall Paul Elio stating we have the money with or without the ATVM Loan approval during the 2014 SEMA interview and 3 days later the delay announcement. The discussion on this site focused on their 2015 Christmas Elio deliveries. Frankly, when the CEO says I have the money to me that means a 2015 production goal is reachable unless the P5 and E Builds and testing warranted change to delay those production goals (not funding issues). I give those disappointed folks some benefit of the doubt. With that said nobody forced them to reserve and/or invest. They all read the agreement before sending in a non-refunable deposit and shouldn't be disgruntled unless it turns to vaporware.

Also, EM signing a contract DOCUMENT, with the Caddo Parrish Commission, guaranteeing 1500 jobs and a production start date seems like it was a set in stone target date with penalties if those contract 'promises' were not met. I can see where some reservationisits and the Caddo County Commissioners felt this was a done deal.

My personal view on production - meh - what will be will be, but can't ignore the facts regarding the many delays and why some people feel the way they do. I can muster some sympathy for those that were desparate for the Elio to meet their basic transportation needs sooner than later.