Elio's time has come again?

[DScott]

Hello all, Long time reservation (5888). Lost hope on the Elio but now that things are on a down hill slide for auto makers, and with the latest attack
of proposed Tariffs on foreign made cars, maybe Elio has a chance at a come back as long as they stick to the ORIGINAL proposal
American made of 90% American parts...

 

[JohnJ]

I hope you're right! But as I see it, for what it's worth, the problem is Paul Elio. I wonder if he still has the desire to build his car. And can he get the financial backing he needs considering how things went the first time. All we can do is wait and watch.

 

[Rickb]

After following several enclosed three wheeler concepts for 13+ years with deposits down on 3 of those concepts, only 2 certified production models (Arcimoto & ElectraMechannica) actually made it to production, and both failed miserably. It appears there isn’t the proven mass market demand needed to make enclosed three wheelers affordable. One may as well buy a cheap base model safety rated subcompact car from a local sealer that provides local sales, service, parts, warranty work and enjoy the ride.

 

[Sonoran Sam]

@Rickb There was "Wildfire Motors" -- they had two enclosed 3-wheelers. I do remember (briefly) researching the "pickup" version, when they first came out. The also had a "mini-van" looking vehicle.

Wildfire Motors

 

[JohnJ]

I may be wrong, but it looks to me that the problem is not that they're 3 wheel, but that they're expensive toys and not practical, economical transportation like the Elio was supposed to be.

 

[JohnJ]

In the past couple of days there had been more and more on the news about the price of new cars going way up and the administration wanting our new cars to be made in the U.S.A.. It looks like this is the time for Elio to make it's move. Seems to me they need someone in Congress with some power to get behind them and get them that government loan.

 

[DScott]

I hope you're right! But as I see it, for what it's worth, the problem is Paul Elio. I wonder if he still has the desire to build his car. And can he get the financial backing he needs considering how things went the first time. All we can do is wait and watch.

it doesn't have to be ELIO per se... just follow the concept. the financial backing was lost when "someone" decided to cut the ATMV program. maybe that someone could re-invest in American Vehicle manufacturing.

 

[Rickb]

I may be wrong, but it looks to me that the problem is not that they're 3 wheel, but that they're expensive toys and not practical, economical transportation like the Elio was supposed to be.

it doesn't have to be ELIO per se... just follow the concept. the financial backing was lost when "someone" decided to cut the ATMV program. maybe that someone could re-invest in American Vehicle manufacturing.

My research indicates the ATVM Program expires 01/31/26. Even if the ATVM was cut, Elio Motors didn’t qualify for the ATVM Program and never had a fleet of production ready prototypes required for the certification process or even an early Elio prototype screaming around the test track.

 

[Interested]

I always liked the inflatable car concept. Different power plants, no rust, floats, tough. Made of same material as the ball protecting one of the Mars rovers for landing. Spring a leak, put some tape on it. Original price was about $5000 delivered to your door. However, in Ohio and other states, they could not be sold directly due to franchise laws.