100 Preproduction Elio's To Be Built In December!!

[Ty]

Sorry Ty...

I have to agree with Ekh on this.
Those 100 will be used (as EM said ages ago) to set up and fine tune the production lines.
EM also said (again, some time ago) that Comau techs would be the ones doing this.
Those techs would then correctly train the local help with the expertise gained.

Plus, COMAU will be machining engines and setting up automatic welding stations. They wont be s brewing together Elios.

 

[Ty]

I'm wondering...

I can't imagine it being as easy as all that.

I think that "building" the precision line to produce Elios is almost comparable to building the production ready prototype itself.

I would think that much of that equipment is going to have to be modified to the point of almost having to be rebuilt.
After all, it's got to build Elios with absolute precision and be durable enough to last a long time under heavy use.
Unless we're all going to be driving around in vehicles that look like miniature 3-wheeled Hummers that is.

I think you, like most, are overestimating how "automatic" the production line is. Most stations had at most calibrated torque drivers. Most of the work is done by humans lifting pieces by hand and putting them in position and screwing them in. GM had welders, the windshield sealant applicator, paint booths, and a couple other stations that required programming. The rest had either torque drivers, assisted lifting, or mostly just human brains doing the work.

 

[Ty]

...I wonder if they'll offer flotation pontoons now...

 

[AriLea]

This change will not affect any of us negatively. IIRC, EM was originally going to "...keep the first 125 for internal use." So in reality, That is still their plan. "Internally" they will be selling 100 (of the 125) to "fleet customers."

Wait a second, what would Em want to use 125 elios for? Oh yea I thought that would be for showrooms. Wait, the show rooms will not be in place for at least 6 months or more after start of mass-production. OK OK, maybe Em had some ideas/deals cooking in the backroom all a long and they finally came out with it.

So tracking back, I'd have to say EM had an ongoing negotiation over these 125 autos even before the ATVM final submission, and finally the fleet buyer is now confident enough to pay-for and receive them. I'm going to continue the guess that the sales price is NOT 6800, but some amount higher, what ever it takes to make $1k each vehicle. You too, there is no reason to eliminate the idea that thee secrete buyers will not become corporate investors as well. we'll see, we will see. hmmmm

 

[Ty]

Wait a second, what would Em want to use 125 elios for? Oh yea I thought that would be for showrooms. Wait, the show rooms will not be in place for at least 6 months or more after start of mass-production. OK OK, maybe Em had some ideas/deals cooking in the backroom all a long and they finally came out with it.

So tracking back, I'd have to say EM had an ongoing negotiation over these 125 autos even before the ATVM final submission, and finally the fleet buyer is now confident enough to pay-for and receive them. I'm going to continue the guess that the sales price is NOT 6800, but some amount higher, what ever it takes to make $1k each vehicle. You too, there is no reason to eliminate the idea that thee secrete buyers will not become corporate investors as well. we'll see, we will see. hmmmm

The only real advantages I see are some real world testing (limited by however long Elio feels like NOT producing the rest). I 'm sure they will get volume prices from parts suppliers in order to show they can build them. 2., It'll show they can produce and profit for purposes of additional funding.

 

[pistonboy]

Wait a second, what would Em want to use 125 elios for? Oh yea I thought that would be for showrooms. Wait, the show rooms will not be in place for at least 6 months or more after start of mass-production. OK OK, maybe Em had some ideas/deals cooking in the backroom all a long and they finally came out with it.

So tracking back, I'd have to say EM had an ongoing negotiation over these 125 autos even before the ATVM final submission, and finally the fleet buyer is now confident enough to pay-for and receive them. I'm going to continue the guess that the sales price is NOT 6800, but some amount higher, what ever it takes to make $1k each vehicle. You too, there is no reason to eliminate the idea that thee secrete buyers will not become corporate investors as well. we'll see, we will see. hmmmm

I believe EM will be getting free publicity from this that will be worth a fortune.

I agree, EM has had this in the works for a long time.

 

[pistonboy]

Roush is involved in elio design in these early stages and with the 100. The elio may get a reputation as a race vehicle, or based on a race vehicle, before number 1 is even sold. We all know the media loves to hype.

 

[Okie51]

Somehow, this seems the time to repost this...

[/QUOTE]
Phooey, I will need to change my password!

 

[3wheelin]

I think the fact Roush got involved with Elio is a good sign. It seemed to me in reading Elio's financials that Elio don't pay any of there bills. And I'm sure Roush looked things over before committed to Elio. So IMHO, they must feel they will get paid and Elio is indeed going to make some profit.

Could be wrong, but can't help to feel that way.

I agree.

 

[3wheelin]

I am sure you are right. But it's still ALL ABOUT THE MONEY.

Sadly, that's the reality EM is in.