250,000 Units Per Year ?

[Ekh]

It is not a requirement and it is my understanding that they don't even really expect to get to that number until at least year three however the plant should be capable of reaching that number and even more as EM's plans do not include any weekend shifts. The latest news on production, which we were told by Jerome in Charlotte, is that production should start at about 150 vehicles a day and ramp up to about 350 per day in the first 2-3 months or so with just a single shift. Ultimately the goal is to produce 500 vehicles per shift and run two shifts per day five days a week. This is about 250 working days when you calculate in holidays and is how they reach 250,000 Elio's per year.

Looks like hell will freeze before I get my elio!

 

[ross]

Looks like hell will freeze before I get my elio!

Really? Your reservation number is over 250,000, and hell is going to freeze in the next couple of years?
That really is news!

 

[Inigo93]

don't know that I agree .... I've heard bunches of comments from folks whose needs are such that they aren't potential buyers and have yet to hear the word ugly ..... but with beauty being in the eye of the beholder, that could certainly be the case with some

I certainly hope you're right. I certainly like the look... But when I see certain auto industry folks refer to it as the "virginity shield" (or whatever the words were), it drives home the idea that I'm biased. Further, I suspect such people are more in line with mainstream America when it comes to auto asthetics and the like or they wouldn't have a job in that world.

 

[Jeff Miller]

Ass gas or grass. Nobody rides for free.

Out of site. At 84 mpg paying for gas will make the ride virtually free

 

[goofyone]

I certainly hope you're right. I certainly like the look... But when I see certain auto industry folks refer to it as the "virginity shield" (or whatever the words were), it drives home the idea that I'm biased. Further, I suspect such people are more in line with mainstream America when it comes to auto aesthetics and the like or they wouldn't have a job in that world.

The reality is that everyone is different and while one person sees the Elio as a 'virginity shield' other auto industry reviewers have enjoyed the unique look. Especially with a vehicle that is so radically different from most everything else it is to be expected that some people will like it and some will not.

Anyway I don't think it will ultimately matter in the end how various people feel about the look as what primarily sells this vehicle are the four EM goals: ultra low base price, ultra high fuel economy, very safe crash test rating, and being American made.

 

[RUCRAYZE]

Looks like hell will freeze before I get my elio!

NEVER happen!! I'm not a scientist nor do I play one on TV, but global warming will prevent freezing- You'll just have to turn on your A.C. while you drive your Elio

 

[JEBar]

Anyway I don't think it will ultimately matter in the end how various people feel about the look as what primarily sells this vehicle are the four EM goals: ultra low base price, ultra high fuel economy, very safe crash test rating, and being American made.

don't know that I'd go that far .... I buy vehicles I like and don't ever recall buying one I didn't .... to me price does count, there are plenty of vehicles out there I like that I simply can't afford .... fuel mileage is important but most of the ones I've owned didn't deliver higher mileage than others in their class .... I have no clue as to the crash test rating of any rig I've ever owned .... American made is important to me .... if I didn't like the looks of an Elio, I wouldn't buy it .... but then that's just me

Jim

 

[Jay3wheel]

I certainly hope you're right. I certainly like the look... But when I see certain auto industry folks refer to it as the "virginity shield" (or whatever the words were), it drives home the idea that I'm biased. Further, I suspect such people are more in line with mainstream America when it comes to auto asthetics and the like or they wouldn't have a job in that world.

Your points are valid, Not sure if you are old enough to remember the introduction of the VW Beatles. They were called all kind of different, but they sold a ton of them. They were low cost and had better gas mileage, that sounds familiar.

 

[Jay3wheel]

Your points are valid, Not sure if you are old enough to remember the introduction of the VW Beatles. They were called all kind of different, but they sold a ton of them. They were low cost and had better gas mileage, that sounds familiar.

I know how I spelled Beatles, but that was for the guy who just posted about million misspelled on the Elio web site,

 

[goofyone]

The reality is that everyone is different and while one person sees the Elio as a 'virginity shield' other auto industry reviewers have enjoyed the unique look. Especially with a vehicle that is so radically different from most everything else it is to be expected that some people will like it and some will not.

Anyway I don't think it will ultimately matter in the end how various people feel about the look as what primarily sells this vehicle are the four EM goals: ultra low base price, ultra high fuel economy, very safe crash test rating, and being American made.

don't know that I'd go that far .... I buy vehicles I like and don't ever recall buying one I didn't .... to me price does count, there are plenty of vehicles out there I like that I simply can't afford .... fuel mileage is important but most of the ones I've owned didn't deliver higher mileage than others in their class .... I have no clue as to the crash test rating of any rig I've ever owned .... American made is important to me .... if I didn't like the looks of an Elio, I wouldn't buy it .... but then that's just me
Jim

The way I look at it is that anyone who likes the look is already hooked. Those four items merely make the decision easier as it is affordable to just about everyone while also offering class leading fuel economy, being safer than many used cars out there for the same price, and is American made.

For anyone who is considering an Elio but is neutral on the design some, or all, of those four items would be what puts them over the top and convinces them to buy one.

It is true that some people who don't like the look will not buy it no matter what however we all know there are plenty of people who will buy this vehicle regardless of not liking how it looks because they need an inexpensive and/or reliable (ie...not used) and/or ultra fuel efficient vehicle. Being safe and American made makes it much easier for these people to make that decision.

So some, or all, of the four EM goals do ultimately play a role in all purchases no matter where you stand on the design.