When Will Production Begin?

[Ty]

I predict the first few out of their facility will happen in June 15', but they will be handbuilt or coachbuilt cars, not "production" cars. The idea of production involves a substantial investment in automated assembly and material handling which costs hundreds and hundreds of millions to implement, and starting fresh perhaps 3-4 years to dial in. So we will see a handful next year, but not enough to satisfy a fraction of the reservations on record. What happens after that I suspect the company will close its doors by late 16', as it will not see any significant increase in demand it would need to justify a "production" model and investment. At that point maybe 500 or so coachbuilt units will be shipped, leaving the un-lucky owners responsible to somehow find a way to find or make replacement parts, and be their own mechanic. I'd purchase one if the company matures into a real company, but as that will never happen, they will just be rendered as a curiousity into some corner of the Smithsonian 20 years from now.

With the assembly line already in place, they won't be coachbuilt at the Shreveport facility. They'll start the line and halt it after every minute or so to verify each station can perfrom it's job but after that first car comes off the line (there will be a bunch behind it on the line (one at each work station, of course), they'll crank up to at least half speed (full speed being 54 seconds per station) just long enough to get people into the flow and identify any material handling issues. Then, they'll move to full speed and they'll pop them out one per every 54 seconds (they may run slightly slower but really shouldn't).

 

[pj rogers]

I think ty is exactly correct, but considering the every elio that comes off the line will have no options but either a automatic or a 5 speed*, it will be easy to build...all the other options will be added on after market.

*Mr. Elios presentation on January 30, 2014..in phoenix..I also was told that in OKC.

 

[DScott]

Pick a Date, Pick the Time in case of a tie.
We will see who comes out the closest.

MY guestament is:
20 April 2015 at 8:16 A.M.

Sept17 2015 10:00am

 

[DScott]

I predict the first few out of their facility will happen in June 15', but they will be handbuilt or coachbuilt cars, not "production" cars. The idea of production involves a substantial investment in automated assembly and material handling which costs hundreds and hundreds of millions to implement, and starting fresh perhaps 3-4 years to dial in. So we will see a handful next year, but not enough to satisfy a fraction of the reservations on record. What happens after that I suspect the company will close its doors by late 16', as it will not see any significant increase in demand it would need to justify a "production" model and investment. At that point maybe 500 or so coachbuilt units will be shipped, leaving the un-lucky owners responsible to somehow find a way to find or make replacement parts, and be their own mechanic. I'd purchase one if the company matures into a real company, but as that will never happen, they will just be rendered as a curiousity into some corner of the Smithsonian 20 years from now.

the thread says "production" Elios.. so first off the assembly line only counts.

 

[corvairbob]

they say sept 2015 i say 1-2-16 or even later

 

[Zipper]

May 5, 2015 3pm

October 5, 2015

 

[eddie66]

I'm hoping for earlier start to production, but if there is any truth to this article, I'll go with September 21st. 2015
#4020
http://gas2.org/2014/05/23/elio-motors-predicts-delays-3-wheeler/

 

[whattheelf]

With the assembly line already in place, they won't be coachbuilt at the Shreveport facility. They'll start the line and halt it after every minute or so to verify each station can perfrom it's job but after that first car comes off the line (there will be a bunch behind it on the line (one at each work station, of course), they'll crank up to at least half speed (full speed being 54 seconds per station) just long enough to get people into the flow and identify any material handling issues. Then, they'll move to full speed and they'll pop them out one per every 54 seconds (they may run slightly slower but really shouldn't).

This is encouraging news at least from the assembly process, is this news about the proposed process verifiable? To determine if they are production vs. coachbuilt, would need to find out what % of the BOM is from production tooled equipment vs short life soft tooling. Coachbuilts can still be line built, or KANBAN built, so much depends on the both the integrity of the supply chain, true production tools, and automation, not hands.

That said, I like the initial sound of that plan, would just like to know what is backing up that plan? Any links or docs out there?

 

[eddie66]

sign up for the tech support newsletters. Here is one that came out about a week ago.
http://us6.campaign-archive2.com/?u=24b371802c83d81776b06aa68&id=afaf172355

 

[rracer]

First Elio-
July 4th, 2015