Manufacturing Rate

[BlioKart]

Coming up with a plant might not be the problem. Finding workers willing to live there is something else...

If you build it they will come

 

[Coss]

If you build it they will come

But how about some place with better weather so they can show up for work every day?
Like Frisco, or Australia or (?)

 

[Aprilia]

I'm hopeful that Elio Motors will find a market for 50K to 75K of their vehicle's annually...if so...that would be an amazing success story for Mr Elio!

250K annual units just seems to reflect utterly unrealistic expectations for such a niche vehicle.

 

[John Painter]

I'm hopeful that Elio Motors will find a market for 50K to 75K of their vehicle's annually...if so...that would be an amazing success story for Mr Elio!

250K annual units just seems to reflect utterly unrealistic expectations for such a niche vehicle.

250k is a drop in the bucket (a very big bucket) in the US new vehicle, let alone used vehicle, market. Maybe very low cost, safe, high fuel efficiency, four season personal transportation is niche, but from my perspective, it looks like it is just as well the future.

 

[Aprilia]

250k is a drop in the bucket (a very big bucket) in the US new vehicle, let alone used vehicle, market. Maybe very low cost, safe, high fuel efficiency, four season personal transportation is niche, but from my perspective, it looks like it is just as well the future.

I respect your thought process.

But American have always shown a preference for larger vehicles...possibly that will change someday...but it seems to be embedded in our cultural identity! LOL

FYI...I've owned 3 new Smart Cars...a '09, a '11, and finally a '13...

I loved my Smart's...but most just laughed at me...unfortunately... most American drivers scorn small cars!

 

[Aprilia]

My recently sold '13 Smart Carlsson edition with 17" alloys...so much fun to drive!

Can't wait to customize an Elio Vehicle!

 

[slinches]

Aprilia, that's where the "And" car concept comes into play. Those who want that big truck, SUV or sports car can have it and then save the wear and tear of commuting to work every day by buying an Elio as well. It'll even pay for itself by avoiding the gas and maintenance costs that you would otherwise rack up on the more expensive vehicle.

The only markets that aren't well covered are the big city urban areas where most don't need or want a car and those people who already have an EV or a fairly efficient commuter car (40+ mpg).

Then there's the fleet vehicle market. There are a lot of companies who have salespeople who drive all over or have field technicians that need to get to customer sites. I could see tens of thousands of Elios being sold just to that market.

 

[Aprilia]

My previous '09 Smart Brabus Coupe...another one of my all time favorite vehicles!

 

[outsydthebox]

Can't wait to customize an Elio Vehicle!

Welcome, from E. Tennessee

 

[outsydthebox]

.....Then there's the fleet vehicle market. There are a lot of companies who have salespeople who drive all over or have field technicians that need to get to customer sites. I could see tens of thousands of Elios being sold just to that market.

Very true! There are also (IIRC) close to 100K municipalities in the US. Now, "IF" each municipality only replaced "one" worn-out vehicle from their fleet, every year...they "could" save a substantial amount of money. Kind of a no brainer!