OK then, the
first one for the US is out. Cool. I wonder if they will all be designated autocycles? I would think so. The article says "legally considered a motorcycle", but I'm not sure that's the case everywhere. Although, for legal issues the company is better off as a motorcycle. Note however, the sale was to an 'inside' guy.
They want to deliver 75k of them to the US in three years. I think that is reasonable for the demand. Hopefully they don't have ramp-up issues.
Because the Elio can cover the utility of the Solo, but not the reverse of that, I think Solo success actually will help the Elio. But once the Elio is out, it would impact Solo sales. JMHO.
Two things.
The sale was not to an 'inside' guy. It was to a person named Paul who resides in Los Angles.
Quote: "Ex-IndyCar driver Dominic Dobson, who is the Solo sales rep for Washington and Oregon,...
was on hand to "greet" the vehicle as it passed through his area."
Mr. Dobson was not the buyer. He simply met up with Jerry Kroll in Seattle to look the vehicle over.
The Solo is only classified as a motorcycle in the US. By the NHTSA.
In Canada it's considered a car and is undergoing appropriate and required crash testing.
The Asian requirements and standards are similar to the Canadian requirements and standards.
The EU has a slightly more complex categorization system.
The NHTSA extensive compliance regulations cover almost all aspects of the vehicles.
What little that is not covered (ie: fog lights) is open to regulation by the states.
The state classifications of motorcycle, three wheeled motorcycle and autocycle...
Basically only affect things not covered by the NHTSA, plus helmets and operator licenses/endorsements.
EMV has also begun to deliver fleet vehicles.
They are still only averaging 4 to 10 units per month out of their small Vancouver facility.
There is an estimated 500 unit shipment due between now and September from their Chinese partner..
Here are two delivered to a hotel in Victoria, Canada. That's the Mayor of Victoria behind the wheel.
This is a nice shot of the 2019 model which will is scheduled to begin delivery in September.
LED headlights and A/C will be standard features at no extra charge starting with the 2019 model