Arcimoto, the real thing? ($12k tandem EV trike, 70/130 mi. range)

[Hersbird]

I think a better strategy to make some initial money on the first ones would be to make say the first 50 in a limited *fancy design name here* color scheme and then auction them off to the highest bidder. Perfect for the too good to wait their turn crowd, with more money than brains. So they could sell then as high as $30-50k range. 50 machines with a $30k profit is quicker and easier than 500 machines with a $3000 profit. I have a feeling they can only make them at a loss at $12,000. So selling the first 1000 at a loss would be impossible. I wonder how many actual deposits they have, and how many of those even wanted a bare bones machine?

[RedDevil]

As long as they can sell them faster than they can produce them at $20.000 then yes.
Better do a Tesla than an Elio.

[freebeard]

Originally Posted by Hersbird

I think a better strategy to make some initial money on the first ones would be to make say the first 50 in a limited *fancy design name here* color scheme and then auction them off to the highest bidder.

They already did that. It was called the Pilot series.

Note that the new price point includes half-doors, a cargo box and other things that might be optional otherwise. And a 5mph decrease in top speed.

[Hersbird]

Originally Posted by freebeard

They already did that. It was called the Pilot series.

Note that the new price point includes half-doors, a cargo box and other things that might be optional otherwise. And a 5mph decrease in top speed.

The touted more range, but batteries have gotten better for less since their prototypes so that shouldn't cost anything. I think the biggest cost might be a 3 year warranty, but I would be happy to buy for less with no warranty. Basically I think they just needed to be sold for more like $16,000 and then they added $2000 in content to that, and jabbed another $1000 in profit to get head of the line jumping. At some point I hope they do offer the $12,000 version to those who waited in line even if they have to take a loss.

[Hersbird]

Originally Posted by RedDevil

As long as they can sell them faster than they can produce them at $20.000 then yes.
Better do a Tesla than an Elio.

I would agree with the exception they got people to put money down on them with a $12,000 pitch. Sell as many $20,000 ones as people will buy, but deliver the $12,000 ones to the people who got you this far first.

[redpoint5]

Can't you get a Chevy Aveo or similarly awful car for $12k? For $20k you're starting to get into nice economy car territory.

$20k used, heck, I've never driven something so nice.

[Xist]

I have. They are called "Rentals."

The smrt ED starts at $25,000, but the review I read was hilariously bad. The Focus electric was the next-cheapest.

Was.

Then the Hyundai Ioniq, with the Leaf following closely behind. The Evergreen has neither the 70-mile range nor the 130, it goes 100 miles per charge. The ED only goes fifty-eight and actually weighs more than some 2000 Civic submodels! What gives?!

Anyway, the Ioniq has a 124-mile range and the Leaf's is 151.

I cannot find any $20,000-mile used Leaves, but here is a 2016 with 16,120 miles for $15,000:
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...mp2&CMP=stemp2

$20,000 for a two-seater with half-doors that goes 100 miles per charge or $15,000 for a lightly-used four (five)-seater with full doors that we take for granted and a larger range?

[freebeard]

Here's the categorically reasonable competition:

https://motorcycles.oodle.com/harley...rcycle-trikes/

[redpoint5]

I was talking about cars in general, not just EVs.

Is there really a car called the ED? People want to drive Erectile Dysfunction, or Emergency Department (what medical professionals call the ER).

My point is, if the vehicle costs $20k, it better have something more sophisticated than a tube steel frame. While the vehicle looks fun, it also doesn't look much more complex than the electric car we made in high school, and we welded tubular aluminum for the frame.

You can get a used BMW i3 for that much monies.

[Xist]

Here is a 2015 i3 with range extender in Tucson for $16,000: https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used...ting=226896972

Here is a 2016 in San Mateo, California for $21,000.

Seventy-two miles of range with batteries, another seventy-eight on gas at 41 MPG.

This reviewer loved it: https://www.automobilemag.com/news/o...16-bmw-i3-rex/