Manufacturing Rate

[pistonboy]

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!

Yes you are right. American drivers do scorn small cars.

The saving grace for the Elio lies partially in the proportions of this small car. People do not like short "dumpy" cars like the Smart. The Elio is sleek being long and low. Also, many people will probably give it custom paint jobs that are very attractive.

 

[outsydthebox]

.......But American have always shown a preference for larger vehicles...

just curious...you keep referring to the Elio as a "small" vehicle. Have you had an opportunity to actually see, touch and sit in it ( P4 or p5 ) yet?

 

[outsydthebox]

Not the hub motor I saw!

http://phys.org/news/2012-07-wheel-hub-motor-concept-hybrid.html

Older news but that motor doesn't weigh nearly 600#.

That is pretty cool

 

[Sethodine]

just curious...you keep referring to the Elio as a "small" vehicle. Have you had an opportunity to actually see, touch and sit in it ( P4 or p5 ) yet?

I know, right? The top view always looks wierd and small, but from eye level it feels like a car.

 

[Rickb]

just curious...you keep referring to the Elio as a "small" vehicle. Have you had an opportunity to actually see, touch and sit in it ( P4 or p5 ) yet?

 

[RUCRAYZE]

there's some great profiles and overhead pics, on the profile shot it follows the lines/ looks like a Honda Civic
of course, that's a profile

 

[Bigfoot21075]

Yes you are right. American drivers do scorn small cars.

The saving grace for the Elio lies partially in the proportions of this small car. People do not like short "dumpy" cars like the Smart. The Elio is sleek being long and low. Also, many people will probably give it custom paint jobs that are very attractive.

Americans scorn small goofy cars like the "Smart" car. Americans LOVE cool small cars like the MG's, The Spitfires, Datsun Z's and so on. As the owner of a daily driven F350, I look forward to Elio.

 

[bowers baldwin]

Americans scorn small goofy cars like the "Smart" car. Americans LOVE cool small cars like the MG's, The Spitfires, Datsun Z's and so on. As the owner of a daily driven F350, I look forward to Elio.

Some small cars do well here in the U.S., the Miata comes to mind.

 

[Ty]

I thought the GEM was an electric vehicle, limit of 35MPH?

I believe you are correct though I think some are gas. They ARE slow though. Base speed limits are 35 or 25 in most areas.

 

[Ty]

Americans scorn small goofy cars like the "Smart" car. Americans LOVE cool small cars like the MG's, The Spitfires, Datsun Z's and so on. As the owner of a daily driven F350, I look forward to Elio.

--I feel your pain... 2013 F-350 Crewcab, long bed here.