ecdriver711
Elio Addict
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Very cool.
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Birmingham Al, October 24-26, 2014
- Thread starter stephen
- Start date
HHH
Elio Addict
A few things I learned in Birmingham for all Elioowners everywhere:
1. I approached Jerome Vassallo with our idea of springing for lunch. He advised me to ask his wife Pam, as he defers to her on these decisions. She said no one had EVER offered this anywhere. She said the crew had been reduced to eating pizza the day before for all three meals. I secured takeout menus from four surrounding restaurants, and presented them. She quickly chose one menu for everyone. In time she shared it with all the staff (total of six), and she circled their selections. She wouldn't allow us to pay for the meals, but was very grateful that we would pick them up and bring them back. No reason we can't help out this way at all future road show mall events.
2. I mentioned to Jerome that I hadn't heard much about the credit card program for paying off the purchase price with gasoline purchases. Here's the update - they've found a bank they want to work with on the program. The credit card would also have a minimum monthly payment, so those not driving much will get their cars paid off. They are also looking into a simple savings program where you could deposit money into a bank savings account each month towards your Elio (like a Christmas Club account), thus increasing your down payment, and reducing the balance on the credit card. Also, your money stays in your name, not in Elio's.
3. I asked him about a trailer hitch, since there seems to be so much interest in this subject. He said he doesn't want to sell a hitch due to government regulations. He explained that those people towing large trailers with brakes would necessitate the traction control to be deactivated, as one example. They are going to follow the approach of the motorcycle manufacturers, by not promoting their use, and leaving it up to the consumer in the aftermarket. So it follows that they will not be in the Elio stores.
4. He said the products in, and options on, the Elio would have the names of the supplier manufacturer, rather than "Elio." The example he used was the IAV engine.
5. He said a bicycle rack would be available as an option. Referring to the preceding point, I infer that this would mean that it would not be branded "Elio" or "Elio Approved."
6. He's now telling people that production will begin in the fourth quarter next year. Remember this could mean nothing more than one day after September 30th. To keep a little perspective, Elon Musk previously made the announcement that the Tesla X car introduction was being "slightly delayed" from 2014 to 2015!
7. Another EM staffer told me that the question of whether the rear tire will be same size or different from the front two has not been finalized. He also said this was the biggest turnout of Elioowners that they have seen (there's a good reason to get one of the shirts; plus they are a great value at only $10).
8. The completed IAV engine will be fired up on November 15.
9. A power seat will be an option.
10. Now, don't get overly enthusiastic about this last one, but Jerome did say that he does look at the forums, and typically looks at ours before going to bed.
On a personal note, this was my first non-virtual experience with the vehicle, the crew, and other elioowners and believers. It couldn't have been better. Two couples in line each had wives saying they wanted to see and sit in the car before committing to any payments. Elio had a setup so that you could commit right there. When I glanced at it, it showed 36,136 orders.
And lastly, I take responsibility for anyone misquoted, and apologize forthwith.
1. I approached Jerome Vassallo with our idea of springing for lunch. He advised me to ask his wife Pam, as he defers to her on these decisions. She said no one had EVER offered this anywhere. She said the crew had been reduced to eating pizza the day before for all three meals. I secured takeout menus from four surrounding restaurants, and presented them. She quickly chose one menu for everyone. In time she shared it with all the staff (total of six), and she circled their selections. She wouldn't allow us to pay for the meals, but was very grateful that we would pick them up and bring them back. No reason we can't help out this way at all future road show mall events.
2. I mentioned to Jerome that I hadn't heard much about the credit card program for paying off the purchase price with gasoline purchases. Here's the update - they've found a bank they want to work with on the program. The credit card would also have a minimum monthly payment, so those not driving much will get their cars paid off. They are also looking into a simple savings program where you could deposit money into a bank savings account each month towards your Elio (like a Christmas Club account), thus increasing your down payment, and reducing the balance on the credit card. Also, your money stays in your name, not in Elio's.
3. I asked him about a trailer hitch, since there seems to be so much interest in this subject. He said he doesn't want to sell a hitch due to government regulations. He explained that those people towing large trailers with brakes would necessitate the traction control to be deactivated, as one example. They are going to follow the approach of the motorcycle manufacturers, by not promoting their use, and leaving it up to the consumer in the aftermarket. So it follows that they will not be in the Elio stores.
4. He said the products in, and options on, the Elio would have the names of the supplier manufacturer, rather than "Elio." The example he used was the IAV engine.
5. He said a bicycle rack would be available as an option. Referring to the preceding point, I infer that this would mean that it would not be branded "Elio" or "Elio Approved."
6. He's now telling people that production will begin in the fourth quarter next year. Remember this could mean nothing more than one day after September 30th. To keep a little perspective, Elon Musk previously made the announcement that the Tesla X car introduction was being "slightly delayed" from 2014 to 2015!
7. Another EM staffer told me that the question of whether the rear tire will be same size or different from the front two has not been finalized. He also said this was the biggest turnout of Elioowners that they have seen (there's a good reason to get one of the shirts; plus they are a great value at only $10).
8. The completed IAV engine will be fired up on November 15.
9. A power seat will be an option.
10. Now, don't get overly enthusiastic about this last one, but Jerome did say that he does look at the forums, and typically looks at ours before going to bed.
On a personal note, this was my first non-virtual experience with the vehicle, the crew, and other elioowners and believers. It couldn't have been better. Two couples in line each had wives saying they wanted to see and sit in the car before committing to any payments. Elio had a setup so that you could commit right there. When I glanced at it, it showed 36,136 orders.
And lastly, I take responsibility for anyone misquoted, and apologize forthwith.
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zelio
Elio Addict
Great report, HHH. Thanks for sharing. :-) Z
rdoearth
Elio Addict
I got to see the Elio for the second time Saturday at The Summit. Me, goofeone and HHH travelled together. The weather was perfect, though I didn't have a hat and no sunscreen so I got a bit of a burn.
Here are some things I learned (besides what HHH has already posted):
1. The rear wheel is likely to have a release located behind the rear seat which allows to the rear wheel assembly to swing up for ease in replacing the tire. Jerome did not know exactly how this would be implemented but said that the developers do.
2. The roof is to have some threaded inserts to allow for after-market roof racks. I for one am glad to hear this as it will provide an anchor point for a 2 meter antenna I plan to install.
3. The rear seat will have a three point harness just like the front.
4. A trailer hitch will NOT be an option for the first year, as testing and other things would push production back an additional 6 months. There are other reasons also.
5. The news concerning the dash sounds to be quite exciting. This news will come out in about a week.
6. The rear seat will be lowered some, so the curves of the production model will be very similar to the P4.
7. Jerome says there will be plenty to talk about in the next couple weeks. It seems there will be some surprises perhaps!!!
Dustoff, goofyone, HHH and myself.
Here are some things I learned (besides what HHH has already posted):
1. The rear wheel is likely to have a release located behind the rear seat which allows to the rear wheel assembly to swing up for ease in replacing the tire. Jerome did not know exactly how this would be implemented but said that the developers do.
2. The roof is to have some threaded inserts to allow for after-market roof racks. I for one am glad to hear this as it will provide an anchor point for a 2 meter antenna I plan to install.
3. The rear seat will have a three point harness just like the front.
4. A trailer hitch will NOT be an option for the first year, as testing and other things would push production back an additional 6 months. There are other reasons also.
5. The news concerning the dash sounds to be quite exciting. This news will come out in about a week.
6. The rear seat will be lowered some, so the curves of the production model will be very similar to the P4.
7. Jerome says there will be plenty to talk about in the next couple weeks. It seems there will be some surprises perhaps!!!
Dustoff, goofyone, HHH and myself.
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84mpg
Elio Addict
Glad to see these fellas in B'ham! It was nice talking with them about our future Elios.
rdoearth
Elio Addict
It was great meeting you too 84MPG!
zelio
Elio Addict
Great pictures! Thanks for sharing. It would have been nice to have some names to go with the pictures, though. I recognize goofyone and Jerome, of course. We have seen many pictures of the Elio so seeing people we "talk to" almost daily is wonderful. BTW Send us some of that sunshine. We are getting totally dumped on with rain. Lots and lots of rain. I won't be surprise if the day is some kind of record. :-) Z
rdoearth
Elio Addict
84MPG's post has circled: goofyone, Jerome V., me and HHH.
I've also updated my post (refresh).
I've also updated my post (refresh).
of all the much appreciated reports from folks who attended the Birmingham show, two points caught me by surprise :
I had no clue that changing the front fenders and using custom rims would make such a large difference in mileage .... I suppose the biggest loss would come during interstate travel .... losing 10 mpg would most certainly motivate me to stick with the OEM fenders
all of the reports I've seen to date have indicated all three tires would be the same size and use the same rims .... I sure hope that proves to be the case
Jim
I had no clue that changing the front fenders and using custom rims would make such a large difference in mileage .... I suppose the biggest loss would come during interstate travel .... losing 10 mpg would most certainly motivate me to stick with the OEM fenders
all of the reports I've seen to date have indicated all three tires would be the same size and use the same rims .... I sure hope that proves to be the case
Jim
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