The Elio Engine

[Ty]

over the last 10+ years I've spent many hours touring RV assembly plants .... while the production line moves at one speed there are individual components which can't be produced at that same rate ..... as an example it can take much more time to laminate a side wall than it takes install that wall .... consequently, provisions have to be made to build sufficient walls to have them in place to be installed .... that can be done various ways, one of which is to have the motors built on a different shift schedule than the one followed by the assembly crew .... as but one example, with an Elio that could be done by building motors on two shifts while only running one shift to build the vehicle .... in short how many hours/minutes/seconds it takes to build a motor is a separate issue from how many it takes to build the trike .... I have no clue how Elio will handle the scheduling, the point of his response is simply to point out that there are ways to handle it

True. In the end though, they'll have to produce as many engines as vehicles and since that process takes longer, it'll take more fixtures, time, etc. That's what I was getting at.

 

[WilliamH]

Thank you for your kind concern. You really seem to take a lot of thought about my personal life. If it came across as sincere, I'd actually be flattered. Apparently you haven't been on internet forums very long. The standard attack is "Get out of the basement. Your mother is calling you."

Again, if you can't refute, or even discuss the message rationally, attack the messenger.

I can't argue your issues on their merits because they have no merit. Your questions are argumentative and not worth answering. Why would any rational person try to explain something to you that is only in question because you twisted someones words.
You remind me of an employee that I had the "warning meeting" with.
After I told her that she needed to complete certain objectives or the best appraisal i could give her was "Partially Met" she asked if that meant she would receive an "Exceeds" is she met the set objectives. I explained that the best she could get is "Fully Met".
Somehow your lack of understanding reminds me of her.

 

[Jim H]

those of us who are moderators don't have that luxury, you have no idea how much I type, then remember I'm a moderator and don't post

I don't envy you for being a moderator but I certainly appreciate all the work you do. THANKS.

 

[Past Fanatic]

Thank you Steve Okuma for setting up the forum with an ignore feature. It certainly makes my journeys in the forum more enjoyable.

 

[Ty]

Are you sure that wasn't an Isuzu "Trooper?" I have had 3 Geo Trackers and still have one, they are all Suzuki from my experience.

Weren't they Suzuki Samuri's and Geo Trackers?

 

[Past Fanatic]

same response, ask the people who can answer the question

SAME RESPONSE, I did ask Elio Motors..... They [Deleted] the question, and BLOCKED me from 'asking' that question, or any questions!

 

[Ty]

Got questions? I'll take a stab at answers. I worked at the GM plant as an industrial engineer. You are right that they didn't have engine casting or flame spray operations. At least not when I was there. I think there was some confusion with a couple of your posts. It seemed you were blaming this forum for questions that were deleted somewhere else. I think Elio is keeping us in the loop with what they can. There are things they aren't allowed to announce just like any other manufacturer. There are also things they can't say for competitive reasons or maybe because they wouldn't serve a purpose. Suppose the door handle they were being supplied was found to be bad. Why would they announce that? All the headlines would be "Elio using faulty parts". In that hypothetical case, the fact that there is a problem that will be taken care of and doesn't affect actual production stuff can and should stay in-house. Not all press is good press.

Now, back to the questions. If you have a question that probably has an answer, ask away. We like sharing what we know (mostly). Please don't get too bogged down with questions that no one here could possibly answer though. But shoot, I'll even give an opinion on those.

1. Yes, Elio is waiting on the AMTV loan. I think Paul would rather take a loan than give away part of the company for funding. He could very well have someone waiting to fund Elio but isn't willing to part with control unless it's the last chance.
2. Yes, the gas cap is on the correct side.
3. No, there won't be a yellow one yet. Apparently, there are only so many paint booths and that's how many colors they are offering... for now.
4. There will be more headroom in the back seat though there is conflicting info on how that will be accomplished... perhaps by lowering the seat though some would prefer the roof be raised if for no other reason than more storage in the trunk.
5. While Elio is $200M+ short of the estimated money required to start production, that doesn't mean they need it all at once. It's been said they have what they need to get through testing and TO production. They most likely need the bulk of the money to get parts on the way in order to actually produce the Elios. (and some machinery, no doubt)
6. The first Elio will roll off the line on March 24, 2016. Why? Because that's 84 days into 2016 -- 84 MPG, see? 2016 because 6/1=6 6-0=6 6/2= 3. Hey, 3 wheels! So, you know it has to be 2016! I may be wrong about the 84 days though... it'll get 49 in town... Feb 18th?
7. The most popular option aside from the radio will be the lighted door sill. Just saying.

Seriously though. Ask away.

 

[eliothegreat]

Actually, Paul Elio said (last week) that the project will cost $300 million.
-- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiNR_94OwWY --

The interview starts about 9:00, with the $300M figure discussion about 13:00.

 

[JEBar]

I DON'T know what they have at the plant (that is why I am questioning), but I do know that they did NOT make engines there, nor did they have the Flame Spray equipment to coat the cylinders, and Elio Motors has never 'addressed' this issue, except to [Delete] questions on the subject.

I'm having trouble following your logic in believing you or I have any right to such info .... EM is a private company, the right to disseminate information within the bounds of the law is theirs .... we have a reservation but that gives us no right to anything other than a spot in line .... it is clear you distrust EM and that's fine .... why would you want to do business with them .... best suggestion I can give, is to walk away and find something you can be happy supporting

 

[WilliamH]

BLOCKING people who ask questions, is denying 'Free Speech', hope you can comprehend that. Elio Motors has stated; " we have adopted transparency", "As a company, we have chosen to bring you along for the ride as we develop and fine tune the vehicle for market" and "Each week we are taking you along on our journey by sharing some of our progress making your Elio." Just taking Elio Motors at THEIR WORD!

"Freedom of Speech" gives you the "right", within limits, to say anything that you want to.
Your "Freedom of Speech" does not require me to give you a platform to say it on, nor does it require me to listen to you or respond to you.