Standard Equipment And Options

[Sethodine]

1. $6,800? Really?!

– Yes, really. The Elio is a targeted $6,800 base price (AMT version).

Typo or new info?

It was certainly news to me! In the past whenever I asked about the automatic version, they said it was gonna be an option that cost $600-$1000. I like "no additional charge" much better

 

[Jeff Miller]

It was certainly news to me! In the past whenever I asked about the automatic version, they said it was gonna be an option that cost $600-$1000. I like "no additional charge" much better

I read that with interest as well. What it made me wonder was if there would even be a manual. Assuming there is still a manual would it cost less or more than having an AMT?

 

[Johnny Acree]

Typo. dangit. The blog has been corrected.

 

[Frim]

I read that with interest as well. What it made me wonder was if there would even be a manual. Assuming there is still a manual would it cost less or more than having an AMT?

I have always believed that automatics were a hidden profit. It just costs more to cut gears than it costs to make parts on a lathe. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of an automatic should be less than the manufacturing cost of a manual. Charging more for the auto increases profit. The customer is paying for convenience not cost-plus product. Buying a cheaper product for more money. Only my guess

 

[slinches]

Automatic transmissions still have gears (with the exception of some CVTs) and they are definitely more expensive to produce in general. That's especially true of the Elio's AMT vs manual since they are mechanically identical and the AMT version just adds the servos and computer controllers required to automate the shifting.

 

[outsydthebox]

Seriously.... With the amount of money at stake wouldn't it be worth it to pay one more employee's salary and have them devoted to creating a wide array of options that can be sold at a nice profit?

Being involved with the automotive aftermarket for over 20 years, I think I can share a few insights about the "relationship" between the auto makers, and the aftermarket manufacturers....It is good. For the most part, it is symbiotic. Obviously, the aftermarket would not exist if the cars weren't made. And the auto makers "love the aftermarket" ... and here is the reason: There are literally thousands of creative, talented people who are closely connected with the public. These people are the "trend makers." The automakers get to see which trends "catch fire" and which trends "die."....without spending a dime!

...Many buyers would be much more likely to choose (and pay for) optional items at the time of purchase than to shop for and buy them later...

This happens every day, at the dealership level. "Automotive restylers" (like myself)
spend their days at the dealerships, "dressing up" (restyling) new (and pre-owned) vehicles. The dealers then put an addendum sticker on the window (next to the window sticker) with these items added to the sticker price. Most people don't even realize that these are not factory items.

Wanting to see the Elio generate a lot of after market items is one thing, throwing away a gold mine is something else.

I think Paul Elio (from observation, not a greedy man) and the BOD understand the symbiotic relationship.

 

[NSTG8R]

Didn't go through the entire thread to see if this had been mentioned, and didn't want to start another thread just for an observation I made, but I had an engineer come up and mentioned the Elio because I was wearing my Elio Owner's T-shirt yesterday. I started giving him the 'specs', and said, "Hey, check it out or yourself!", and went to Elio Motors website. In the "details" section there's a spec sheet that's also available as a .pdf for printing. As I looked it over contemplating printing it and putting it on one of the bulletin boards, I noticed that nowhere on the page, other than "Elio Safety Management System..." in the very first sentence, is Elio, Elio Motors, or even a phone number or website indicated. If you didn't already know what you're looking at, you'd never figure it out by reading this. Wouldn't make much sense for me, or anyone, to print up the pdf and post it. Somebody needs to fix that. I think I'll send them an email.

 

[NSTG8R]

Didn't go through the entire thread to see if this had been mentioned, and didn't want to start another thread just for an observation I made, but I had an engineer come up and mentioned the Elio because I was wearing my Elio Owner's T-shirt yesterday. I started giving him the 'specs', and said, "Hey, check it out or yourself!", and went to Elio Motors website. In the "details" section there's a spec sheet that's also available as a .pdf for printing. As I looked it over contemplating printing it and putting it on one of the bulletin boards, I noticed that nowhere on the page, other than "Elio Safety Management System..." in the very first sentence, is Elio, Elio Motors, or even a phone number or website indicated. If you didn't already know what you're looking at, you'd never figure it out by reading this. Wouldn't make much sense for me, or anyone, to print up the pdf and post it. Somebody needs to fix that. I think I'll send them an email.

Just did.

 

[wizard of ahs]

I'll just take whatever comes with it and IF I don't like it............I'll change it out myself

I JUST WANT IT NOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Rob Croson]

As I looked it over contemplating printing it and putting it on one of the bulletin boards, I noticed that nowhere on the page, other than "Elio Safety Management System..." in the very first sentence, is Elio, Elio Motors, or even a phone number or website indicated.

Ouch. I've seen that spec sheet before, but never noticed that. I guess I was too busy reading the specs. There's not even an Elio logo on it. Someone definitely dropped the ball on that one.

It makes me wonder if it was intended to be printed on pre-printed letterhead. Maybe on official company stationary. Even still, you'd think they'd want a separate version for posting on the Internet that has all that stuff included.