Is Elio Being Ignored By Mainstream Auto Industry Press?

[Ty]

I'm kind of surprised that I haven't seen an article in Automobile, R&T, or Motor Trend. Has anyone seen an article in any of the major auto magazine?

Just Car and Driver. No other major car magazine.

 

[goofyone]

Here's another item that puzzles me about the Elio Motors saga...

As a result of spending 30 years within the automotive industry... I've become a diehard auto enthusiast...so I subscribe to Car & Driver...Motor Trend...Automobile Magazine...etc...this allows me to keep up with current trends in the automotive industry...

I find it very surprising that a major automotive magazine (Motor Trend...Road & Track...etc...) has not done a recent in-depth feature article (3 or 4 page story) documenting the Elio Motors saga...any automotive start-up that promises to produce 250,000 units a year should be very news worthy??

A well written & objective cover story article in one of these automotive magazines would certainly be interesting reading...especially if Mr. Elio would be transparent with regards to current behind the scenes activities at Elio Motors...

Any thoughts?

The reality is that vehicle start-ups come and go all the time and if those magazines tried to devote several pages to each one they would be filled will failed start-ups. This is the same reason why despite people out here being so concerned about the big auto industry companies the fact is that they don't take EM seriously at this time. EM will have to prove itself as a company which really can build these things before the auto industry as whole will take them seriously.

Having said that I do expect coverage from all parts of the media, including the mainstream auto rags, to increase quite dramatically once it becomes readily apparent that this is not simply Paul Elio's dream but something that could actually make it into production in the near future.

 

[Jeff Porter]

The reality is that vehicle start-ups come and go all the time and if those magazines tried to devote several pages to each one they would be filled will failed start-ups. This is the same reason why despite people out here being so concerned about the big auto industry companies the fact is that they don't take EM seriously at this time. EM will have to prove itself as a company which really can build these things before the auto industry as whole will take them seriously.

Having said that I do expect coverage from all parts of the media, including the mainstream auto rags, to increase quite dramatically once it becomes readily apparent that this is not simply Paul Elio's dream but something that could actually make it into production in the near future.

I know you've mentioned G.O. that the "readily apparent evidence" might be the release of the engine testing data and/or reports of the 25 pre-production vehicles being built. Our guesses are the dates of such information released might be March or April or May. So it may be awhile before we read large articles from the major car enthusiast magazines.

 

[goofyone]

I know you've mentioned G.O. that the "readily apparent evidence" might be the release of the engine testing data and/or reports of the 25 pre-production vehicles being built. Our guesses are the dates of such information released might be March or April or May. So it may be awhile before we read large articles from the major car enthusiast magazines.

Hopefully whenever the engine is ready EM also has some good news about the ATVM loan. If those two happen about the same time I bet EM would receive a lot of press coverage from both inside and outside the auto industry as it would then become very apparent that this will happen.

 

[Johnny Acree]

And another thing, A year or so from production, all that the auto mags would have is a grainy spy photo of the new model.
We are lucky to know what we know. I went through this with smart. I put down my $100.00 and waited. I did not know any thing or get any info from smart for 8 months, then it was another 6 months till I got my car!
Yes, we are lucky!

 

[Rickb]

If the the auto industry mags explode with news imagine the motorcycle press and the front cover Elio stories in the motorcycle mags. It's the motorcycle industry that's going to develop enclosed cab motorcycles following Elio's success........not the auto industry. The auto industry doesn't want to be in the business of building trikes.

 

[Ty]

If the the auto industry mags explode with news imagine the motorcycle press and the front cover Elio stories in the motorcycle mags. It's the motorcycle industry that's going to develop enclosed cab motorcycles following Elio's success........not the auto industry. The auto industry doesn't want to be in the business of building trikes.

But, it's the auto industry that has the experience with building interiors, full bodies, automotive suspension. If there is profit to be made, the auto industry will get involved. Now, of course, suppliers will follow whoever is doing the ordering of parts so whoever does the assembly will be calling the shots. I just don't see much motorcycle in the three wheelers... Honda and Suzuki have auto and motorcycle manufacturing experience but I'm not sure there is any REAL connection other than at the corporate level. It's unlikely that Honda's motorcycle arm will start making cars when most of what goes into the three wheelers is more automotive than motorcycle.

 

[Gas-Powered Awesome]

If the the auto industry mags explode with news imagine the motorcycle press and the front cover Elio stories in the motorcycle mags.

Curiously, I haven't seen or heard any press in the motocycle mags. Honestly I'm still bemused by the enthusiasm amongst motorcyclists for the Elio. (It's not a bad thing!) The only thing the Elio has in common with motorcycles is less than four wheels, tandem seating, and the federal designation. From the driver's seat, it will seem like 95% car and 5% motorcycle.

 

[Mike W]

Sounds to me everyone might jump into the action to some degree or other! If there's a buck to be made with minimal outlaw, someone will take advantage of that opportunity. So who knows what might happen as a result. As far as a write-up, a lot of people have summed it up, you can only write with assurance and some degree of truth about something that exists. So far the E-car doesn't so I'm pretty thankful no one has written in a major way that would taint public perception of a large part of the car/bike buying segments. Let the articles wait, it's better that way.

 

[Rickb]

I think a big Elio market demographic will be old boomer bikers because they recognize it as an enclosed trike. Tough question of the day: When people see the Elio in person do they say nice car, nice cycle, or what the hell is that an autocycle?