Quote:
Originally Posted by Hersbird
Right, IF we were talking 4 wheels. IF China or India wanted to do a 3 wheeler it would be as easy as any of the other motorcycles that currently come from China or India. What is being said is, it is surprising China hasn't jumped to the Elio vacuum and made something similar. Maybe they bought the promises as well and thought they couldn't beat the $7000 by much if any, or like I pointed out as soon as they did it w/o an American version already on the market, the DOT would move to reclassify 3 wheelers as cars.
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I've driven a $4k ($3k if you buy bulk) trike with four seats, five doors and a blower (no AC or heat). 250cc engine. 50 mph tops.
China and India have had ultra-cheap transport for years, but building something like the Elio is just not all that interesting to them. In third-world countries, as it is in the US, there's still a minimum footprint necessary for people to consider something a car. Stuff like the Elio just isn't far enough from a motorcycle or a motorized tuktuk to have wide appeal in those markets.
Look at it from their perspective... you can buy a scooter for $2k or less that will hold a rider, a pillion rider and maybe two children between them, while getting 100 mpg.
An Elio at $7k will only hold two people. And it'll get worse economy than a scooter.