Elio On Tv

[slinches]

Rickb, where are you getting that the P5 isn't complete? It was never intended to be a final design. Close to production, yes, but not final. The design tweaks on the P5 are expected as it's the first attempt at the production drivetrain. This is just what engineering looks like (even with CAD models, not everything fits as you'd expect).

And the point of starting ads now is to introduce the concept to the masses. You have to have a marketing plan that's in synch with your production schedule. Spending too early can be a waste, but too late is even worse. If there's not enough demand when the production line starts, they won't be able to sell enough vehicles to turn a profit and the company will go under. Word of mouth will not be enough to get such an insanely capital intensive business off the ground, let alone keep it going. Just because it works for a mom and pop bakery doesn't mean it will work for a car company.

 

[slinches]

And on the nearly 100% for the $1k all-ins, why not? Even if they don't need the car themselves anymore, they can easily sell it for the full retail price and pocket the extra $500.

 

[Rickb]

slinches, Incomplete in the sense that there are already too many visible obvious changes our members have pointed out that need to be made, no video of it screaming around the test track, or engineering and performance verification testing no doubt required for the E Builds to begin. Also, no engineering specification freeze. It's not ready to spend advertising dollars on, beyond the power of free social media advertising which has been very successful with 50,000 pre-orders. Spend the recently acquired $13 Million on the DEVELOPMENT of a production ready Elio, not advertising since there is no product to buy. IMO

Yes, I expected a very close to production P5 unveil, with mandated tweaks/mods made as a result E builds/testing, but hey that's just me after 8 years of following the limited progress while waiting semi-patiently. Keep in mind the Elio is only a fun ride for me, not the welcome need of a truly functional and affordable commuter vehicle that many reservationists were hoping to be driving in 2015. IMO

One more year.

 

[RUCRAYZE]

And on the nearly 100% for the $1k all-ins, why not? Even if they don't need the car themselves anymore, they can easily sell it for the full retail price and pocket the extra $500.

Lot of capital to risk for a $500.00 profit- (I think the first few months not only list, but a premium above that to be made.) Think Prius,
Easy to sell it-OTD @ 10-15k, then hoping you picked the right colors and options and there will be a market for a resale.?? (They'll be buying a "USED" car) E.M frowns on trying to sell your reservation.
Hey, but ain't this a fun discussion marching in place unable to currently move forward, time will tell, I hope I have enough of it to ride my E

 

[RUCRAYZE]

E.M. found me on a "news piece" on tv

slinches, Incomplete in the sense that there are already too many visible obvious changes our members have pointed out that need to be made, no video of it screaming around the test track, or engineering and performance verification testing no doubt required for the E Builds to begin. Also, no engineering specification freeze. It's not ready to spend advertising dollars on, beyond the power of free social media advertising which has been very successful with 50,000 pre-orders. Spend the recently acquired $13 Million on the DEVELOPMENT of a production ready Elio, not advertising since there is no product to buy. IMO

Yes, I expected a very close to production P5 unveil, with mandated tweaks/mods made as a result E builds/testing, but hey that's just me after 8 years of following the limited progress while waiting semi-patiently. Keep in mind the Elio is only a fun ride for me, not the welcome need of a truly functional and affordable commuter vehicle that many reservationists were hoping to be driving in 2015. IMO

One more year.

It wasn't social media nor word of mouth,that hooked me-September of '04 it was "news", with reporters given a ride (no cash out for ads, but free publicity) Soon as they get the first P5 running, it'll be an "update on the progress", and perhaps good publicity to be followed by news clips-
Remember in August 04, after I saw the clip, the incentive was going to be discontinued Sept.1 (which it was?), then a surprise announcement for Black Friday- which I prayed (oops- forgot I'm an atheist), the announcement that production would start 2015- NOT- instead re-opening of the incentives, that are still in place.
Get 'em up and running and no need for ads, the publicity will push sales.

 

[Elio Amazed]

Governments have recently been toppled by people using nothing more than social media to organize.

Sorry, but I'm just not buying the theory of a meanfully large increase of reservations because of this expenditure.

I'm going to repeat what I've stated earlier. Bistros don't serve critics half done meals. For good reason.

If the P5 is fit-n-finished and functionally spit shinned and polished and there is money left over, go forth and advertise.

EM seems to have a history of spending more than, but getting less than, their estimates of their near-future income.

It's 2 days till Feb 1st. Let's see what they can do with the little they're apparently alloting for the real tasks at hand.

Like getting back to work on the P5. And Paying for everything that it's going to take to pull off the E1-E25 agenda.

Not in imaginary EM time or in simulated CAD time, but in real time and at actual cost.

 

[Ty]

I have never started a car company so I won't pretend that I know the right mix of advertising to engineering to lobbying that will make Elio successful.

I WOULD like to point out that the comercials were produced before the kickstarter campaign started. National TV spots, even on 2nd tier stations will give Elio a little more credibility and that can't hurt when it comes to the atmv loan. I hope we see those E series getting finished up.

 

[TCBronson]

I think that EM is trying to do everything they can in as many areas as possible to optimize the money they do have. Hopefully it will have a positive effect on all fronts. Besides, who's to say how long they will be advertising on TV, until the money runs out OR as long as they have a positive return.

 

[slinches]

I don't know how much you all are thinking that EM is spending on these ads. I'd be shocked if the total ad buy for this round reaches the low six figures. These are not multi-million dollar Superbowl ads we're talking about. It's several 30 or 60 second spots on cable news networks and semi-popular expanded package channels. There's no way it is eating significantly into the engineering budget as I don't see PE risking the end product to spend on ads.

 

[Elio Amazed]

Just my opinion, but I respectfully disagree.
Would you happen to have any reference for your estimate?

Another point...
Does EM really know how much finishing the P5 and the TOTAL completion of the e-series agenda is going to cost to the penny?
They haven't been very good at those estimates either and they've not erred on the conservative side yet.

I really like EM's emails even when there's no real substance to them.
Any guesses as to the cost of those bulk emails beyond the author's salary?

As I've said, it's courteous and it shows us that the lights are still on.
But if the lights are still on, there's also an ongoing electric bill to pay.
The substantial day to day expenses of the payroll and the tour go on.
Not to mention mounting additional costs for things like "A star is born".