Elio Motors, The Next Big Thing?!!...

[Frank Lee]

You make it sound like it's the Program's, not company (mis)management's, fault for going out of business.

One wonders if Elio's primary purpose in life was to get that grant- I mean, loan, moreso than build product?

[razordave]

They have to had collected enough deposits to make a few cars, wth can't they sell what they can and start making profit? Simple vehicle, no new technology, good business plan, seriously what is the problem?

[ME_Andy]

I doubt they can make a profit selling a couple dozen cars. For one thing, they would need to move in to the factory and start paying rent. For another, their part prices would be much higher.

[oil pan 4]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

One wonders if Elio's primary purpose in life was to get that grant- I mean, loan, moreso than build product?

They are starting to sound exactly like all the US based solar panel manufactures that started up solely to get government money then go out of business 6 months later.

If they cant exist with out that free money then screw them. They were likely planning to just take the money and run like everyone else.

Originally Posted by razordave

Simple vehicle, no new technology, good business plan, seriously what is the problem?

Precisely.

[niky]

If you're relying on the government to fund your business, you don't have a very good business model.

That has always been the case. None of these engineering-driven concerns ever have a chance of making it unless the business case is backed by good solid market research and financial planning.

Aptera at least got as far as building something nice, big and futuristic... that... uh... morphed into something not so nice that flubbed the X-Prize competition.

[bannie]

Originally Posted by niky

Economies of scale bring down the individual cost of parts.

Assembly line production lessens the man-hours required for each individual unit, because a workman doing a single repetitive build task will be more efficient than one that has to switch between a hundred different tasks.

And, of course, mass production allows for parts that would otherwise need hand-fabrication to be stamped out en masse.

Economy of scale definitely brings the costs down significantly by streamlining the process, reducing overhead, and reduces the time between each individual product coming off the line. (Total Build Time Reduction)

[NeilBlanchard]

I got word from Charles (who is a member here, but he mentioned it on FB), who saw the Elio in a shopping mall near him in AZ, that they are planning on using a Toyota transaxle with the IAV designed engine.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=1&theater

[Christopher Jordan]

Another competitor in the 3-wheel world in Brussels:
Homegrown E-car 333 Debuts At Brussels Auto Show - Gas 2
Am I ever glad I stuck with that Chinese 3-wheel scooter; they still sell that thing 5 years later.

[Xist]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

I got word from Charles (who is a member here, but he mentioned it on FB), who saw the Elio in a shopping mall near him in AZ, that they are planning on using a Toyota transaxle with the IAV designed engine.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=1&theater

That Facebook link does not work for me, but I found this:

This week in the Preview Tour:

January 23 – 25 – Tucson, AZ: Tucson Mall, 4500 North Oracle Road – Friday/Saturday 10 am – 9 pm and Sunday Noon to 6 pm; P4 show

January 27 – February 1 – Phoenix, AZ: Phoenix Open; stay tuned for details; P4 showing

Have you met ElioWear.com? | Elio Motors

So, it started already, but they still have not given any details? Do you guys want me to try to track it down and... smell it? I don't know, we have already had knowledgeable members look at it!

Also: Arizona Legislature considering special law for 'autocycle' company

[MetroMPG]

FYI: Merged the short "ELIO / ATVM loan program" thread into this discussion.