Electric Elio?

Ty · Jul 7, 2015

Jeff Miller said:
Thanks for that comment; I was completely confused about all the two seat cars being unacceptable in the US market. It simply isn't true.

There are several other examples beyond the miata. Certainly there are all the European sports cars from Fiat, Triumph, Jaguar, etc. but there are also other Japanese cars like the delsol that are hugely successful. There are other American cars that are 2 seat as well but they start with things like the corvette (tell me that car isn't successful - sheesh) ranging up to truly expensive like the cobra.

I believe it is a fallacy to believe Americans don't want 2 seat cars. What is true is that many Americans need the functionality of a bigger car and so their dreams of 2 seat cars get pushed aside for the mini-van, SUV, or some other generic 4 door family sedan. Enter EM and its brilliance of the AND car. Something that is much more affordable than any other 2 seat car, small enough to squeeze into your 2 car garage along with the other vehicle you have to own, and fun enough to satisfy that craving everyone wants in a sporty little 2 seater.

Another market that EM might want to look into exploring are the closet motorcyclists. I work with a fellow that has a very young family. He has wanted a motorcycle since before he got married but life got in the way and now with the family, well, it just ain't going to happen. He saw my elio poster and we talked at length about it and because of it being enclosed, safe, and looking like a car as well as very affordable he got permission to buy an Elio instead of a motorcycle.

Unfortunately, Americans don't buy many 2 seaters... The Miata, while a big success in the 2-door-sport-car category, is not a runaway sales winner...

http://www.miata.net/faq/production/MazdaMX-5_AnnualSalesNAmerica_MY1990-2006.pdf

and though it's one of my favorite cars, it just doesn't sell well... 440 cars were sold last month.

http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2011/01/mazda-mx-5-miata-sales-figures.html

AriLea · Jul 7, 2015

Ty said:
Unfortunately, Americans don't buy many 2 seaters... The Miata, while a big success in the 2-door-sport-car category, is not a runaway sales winner...

And as Jeff says, the -AND- proposition will reposition that threshold, how many will buy a two seat car. When you only get one car for a purpose, you get as much as you think you can afford. But at this price point you can often afford the whole car, just on the gas you save.

Sorry just HAVE to add that, you never know who will run across these dialogs, and see this out of context.

Coss · Jul 7, 2015

Comparing the Mazda Miata (a $25K+ car) and an Elio ($6,800) are like comparing a gorilla and apples; 2 completely different categories.

With that said and we put the comparison on the shelf?

Rickb · Jul 7, 2015

The Elio is not a two seater car, so not a fair comparison. It is rather an affordable single seater (90% of the time) commuter autocycle. It truly is in a class of it's own, which is why it may be widely accepted by so many demographics that wouldn't even consider buying a 2 seater car currently on the market.

Reid3400 · Jul 8, 2015

Coss said:
Comparing the Mazda Miata (a $25K+ car) and an Elio ($6,800) are like comparing a gorilla and apples; 2 completely different categories.

With that said and we put the comparison on the shelf?

We purchased our first Miata for $2800 and drove it 5 years, sold it for $5000. We purchased our 1997 Miata for $5800 and are in our 6th summer. So far cost has been one set of tires $300 and clean 4 injectors for $20. You keep dreaming about your apples, while we have enjoyed our very fun, economical gorillas for the past 11 years. If the Elio gets built, we will switch. In the meantime, while you have been waiting 7 years, we encourage you to consider an economical little fun car. It is one thing to wait patiently and another to enjoy life in the mean time, before you die.

AriLea · Jul 8, 2015

Rickb said:
The Elio is not a two seater car, so not a fair comparison. It is rather an affordable single seater (90% of the time) commuter autocycle. It truly is in a class of it's own, which is why it may be widely accepted by so many demographics that wouldn't even consider buying a 2 seater car currently on the market.

Admittedly kind of an -and- seat, but it IS there and will fit a full adult. I feel it's primarily a car for single commuting, but some number of other purposes get fulfilled with that second seat.

A really good question is, how much cheaper would the car have been if there was only one seat? IT's a bit complex because the number of interested buyers goes down and therefore the mass production savings goes down, driving the price up. Elio Motors has calculated this all out (guesimated) years go when Paul first conceptualized, then firmed up, the marketing plan. (and probably recalculated every quarter since)

When the Elio is finally out, you can bet everyone from EM and GM up thru to the Chinese and VW will be recalculating if a single seat product is justified or not. They'll also be looking at the 2.5 and three seat markets as well.

nimblemotors · Jul 8, 2015

I have owned 5 Toyota Prius, every one I bought for less than $3,000. They get 50 mpg, can carry 4-5 people, and are a top quality car, that is quiet and comfortable and many have gone over 300,000 miles, one fellow went over 500,000 miles before it got into an accident.
They are great cars, one of the best ever made. The only way to make them even better is....well you know.

Rickb · Jul 8, 2015

AriLea said:
Admittedly kind of an -and- seat, but it IS there and will fit a full adult. I feel it's primarily a car for single commuting, but some number of other purposes get fulfilled with that second seat.

A really good question is, how much cheaper would the car have been if there was only one seat? IT's a bit complex because the number of interested buyers goes down and therefore the mass production savings goes down, driving the price up. Elio Motors has calculated this all out (guesimated) years go when Paul first conceptualized, then firmed up, the marketing plan. (and probably recalculated every quarter since)

When the Elio is finally out, you can bet everyone from EM and GM up thru to the Chinese and VW will be recalculating if a single seat product is justified or not. They'll also be looking at the 2.5 and three seat markets as well.

I agree and do like the functional tandem seating arrangement of the Elio if/when needed and it definitely expands the market. I also liked the idea that the rear seat is easily removed or better yet purchased as an option when ordering a 'Delivery Elio' making for a single seater option with added cargo space.

Coss · Jul 8, 2015

Reid3400 said:
We purchased our first Miata for $2800 and drove it 5 years, sold it for $5000. We purchased our 1997 Miata for $5800 and are in our 6th summer. So far cost has been one set of tires $300 and clean 4 injectors for $20. You keep dreaming about your apples, while we have enjoyed our very fun, economical gorillas for the past 11 years. If the Elio gets built, we will switch. In the meantime, while you have been waiting 7 years, we encourage you to consider an economical little fun car. It is one thing to wait patiently and another to enjoy life in the mean time, before you die.

What year did you buy your 1997? And how old was the first one you purchased?
When I stated my comparison it was for the cost of a NEW Miata, not a used one; that is the comparison we had been doing at the time.
There are a number of used cars around, but for them to be a used car, they were a new car at one point.
With that in mind, give me the ROI of a New Miata vs a New Elio

AriLea · Jul 8, 2015

Maybe these links will help, certainly instructs about the used car issue and why Paul thinks strongly about it..

ROI List
Trade-Ins
The trade List

To tell the truth, I think Elios will be traded in more frequently than other cars, just because the cost is so low, so why not?

Therefore if EM is smart they should do at least a minor face lift every three years to encourage that.

Electric Elio?

Ty

Elio Addict

AriLea

Elio Addict

Coss

Moderator

Rickb

Elio Addict

Reid3400

Elio Addict

AriLea

Elio Addict

nimblemotors

Elio Fan

Rickb

Elio Addict

Coss

Moderator

AriLea

Elio Addict

Shirts & Stickers