If Elio was only introducing the concept to the public, and not taking deposits on the vehicle (yes, I call them deposits), I might have a different outlook. However, they take deposits and keep delaying, so I do have my doubts.
To put it into perspective; would you pay a home contractor for a remodeling job and then accept years of delays?
I all makes me wonder if maybe they are underfunded and can't afford to build the production capabilities to produce and distribute on such a massive scale, or if they are without talented management who can make it happen at a reasonable pace. Both make me worry. Companies with innovations don't delay, because if they do, they will lose precious market share.
This concept seems ripe for one of the major car companies to swoop in, design their own vehicle (bet they are already doing that), use their own plant and equipment and manufacturing expertise to build it, market it at a profit equal to their econo-boxes, and sell it in their already established dealerships.
Elio has put this concept out there for everyone to see, and they are doing all the legwork of getting helmet laws changed. It seems like they are just making it ripe to be copied by others. If that happens, then their business plan might fall apart and they might not be able to sell enough units to survive. Elio has proven there is a desire and a market for the vehicles.