What Is The Latest Start Production Date?

[Marshall]

The good news is that my Prius is getting closer to being paid off (30 down and only 45 more months to go), so I can make monthly payments when it's ready.

 

[Adamant]

The good news is that my Prius is getting closer to being paid off (30 down and only 45 more months to go), so I can make monthly payments when it's ready.

I'm not sure the Elio will be ready by then.

 

[Ty]

Asking as a complete noob: this tooling of which you speak... Are these items that have to be cast, forged, molded, beaten, or lathed to be created (i.e., from scratch)? Since the Elio is supposed to use over 90% American-made parts, can they be purchased from a major auto supply company? Are they items that will wear down and need regular replacement, or is it more of a one-off deal and hope you never loose one in your pocket while you're fishing?

No. Shreveport was mostly assembly stations and some robotic stations like the one that puts on the windshield and puts the adhesive on it. There were some robotic welders that would have to be programmed. Engine, frame, transmission, and axle (not necessary for the Elio) were all "assist" stations where a person had what amounted to handlebars with a few controls but for the most part the person guided everything onto the jigs.

The "soft" forms for the frame and body parts are already built and have been in use. Elio can make a bunch of copies off of those while those are translated into more permanent forms. All in all, Elio could be producing in the Shreveport plant VERY soon if they had engines, transmissions, frames, and bodies brought in. Of course, all parts will be brought in but eventually, the bodies, frames, and engines will be made in-house.

 

[Ty]

Where's Ty when you need him; since he knows the inner workings of that place, he would be best to answer that question.

I'm here. I got a little behind on my post reading with the Holidays... I'll try to do better, sir.

 

[Ty]

I never submit a posting unless I have something important to say!

This was important? LOL

 

[Ty]

I wouldn't advertise my lemonade for years with missed estimated delivery dates and tv commercials all over the country over and over, until I had some sugar lined out, although good point of view ty. I get narrow minded and this was my tunnel vision if you build it they will come...in mass numbers, I believe reservations are slowing because of skepticism, thanks for your thought ty.

I definitely agree that (in hindsight), it was horrible of Paul Elio to keep announcing production times though I think he was always careful to make them "projected" dates. Some of the delays were beyond his control and several things led to further delays...

While there were several unforeseen events and some were decisions made to make the Elio better, here's my first stab at delay causes:

1. The delay with renting the GM plant led to a lot of frustration and misinformation that persists even to today. I just saw an article about how Elio won't get the plant. Hint: They have it.
2. The switch from tubular to stamped steel frame.
3. The switch from SMC to steel body.
4. ATMV Loan process
5. Fuel tank switch to port fill vs. starboard fill
6. Exclusion of the Sunflower paint color.
7. Switch from Leer to Hyundai for seating.
8. Switch from Continental to MTX for audio.
9. Addition of cruise control without raising price.
10. Addition of tilt steering without raising price.

All those weren't delays and I know there are delays I didn't mention.

Just don't blame delays on the roadshow (not saying you did but I've seen people here do it). It isn't like the show people are building Elios when they aren't at the show. Those people won't be building them nor have they been. We are talking about two completely different entities... Show people and Development people. This is probably also why they aren't always on the same page when they answer questions.

 

[Ty]

Hey, now. They still have a whole month left to start.

I was really hoping they'd at least start the 100 pre-production run of Elios this month but it seems very unlikely at this point. In fact, I think they've said as much. Still, I was really hoping this time.

 

[Coss]

I definitely agree that (in hindsight), it was horrible of Paul Elio to keep announcing production times though I think he was always careful to make them "projected" dates. Some of the delays were beyond his control and several things led to further delays...

While there were several unforeseen events and some were decisions made to make the Elio better, here's my first stab at delay causes:

1. The delay with renting the GM plant led to a lot of frustration and misinformation that persists even to today. I just saw an article about how Elio won't get the plant. Hint: They have it.
2. The switch from tubular to stamped steel frame.
3. The switch from SMC to steel body.
4. ATMV Loan process
5. Fuel tank switch to port fill vs. starboard fill
6. Exclusion of the Sunflower paint color.
7. Switch from Leer to Hyundai for seating.
8. Switch from Continental to MTX for audio.
9. Addition of cruise control without raising price.
10. Addition of tilt steering without raising price.

All those weren't delays and I know there are delays I didn't mention.

Just don't blame delays on the roadshow (not saying you did but I've seen people here do it). It isn't like the show people are building Elios when they aren't at the show. Those people won't be building them nor have they been. We are talking about two completely different entities... Show people and Development people. This is probably also why they aren't always on the same page when they answer questions.

Ty, body panels are still SMC; only the frame has changed to formed steel unibody.

 

[Karnaj]

Ty, body panels are still SMC; only the frame has changed to formed steel unibody.

??? i thought the panels went steel too? So confusing some times.

 

[Jambe]

The body panels are SMC now but will be steel.