The Elio Engine

[Samalross]

that is very true except the world like diversity, If ford was to let ELIO use the ECOboost 1.0L engine can be a good marketing spin for them to get the public acceptence here in America land of the v-8 to go for the little engine that could.

If Elio qualified for CAFE credits and the program continues, I am sure Ford and Elio could work out an agreement.

 

[Samalross]

You also run into what I call the "Water Rights Problem." Presumably the contract to provide Elio the Festiva engines would be for X engines per year at Y price, and a terminate-at-will clause; OR; provide X engines at Y price for Z number of years, contract to be renegotiated at the end of the term. Say the Elio explodes in popularity. That sounds like good news, but it's not.

Elio becomes like the farmstead whose water source (stream or whatever) originates on someone else's private property. The farmstead then becomes dependent upon the goodwill of the upstream water owner, who could simply cut off their water supply at will. The farmstead is then forced to drill their own well at their own expense to ensure they won't go under.

If the Elio becomes popular, that shows the larger automakers (Ford, in particular) that, yes Virginia, there IS a market for autocycles in America. All without their having to spend a dime in market research (because Elio did their market research for them). Having greater resources, Ford could produce their own autocycle, probably under a different label, using their own engine, and distributed through their existing dealer system. When the contract with Elio comes up for re-negotiation, Ford could simply decline to renew the contract, forcing Elio to find another source for an engine, and fast.

It may be more expensive up front and take longer, but the SAFER business model is to drill your own well at the beginning to avoid ever being dependent on another agency for the most important part of your product.

They could start with the Ford engine and make their own when they start to get sales and revenue. A contract for 100,000 engines would tide them over,I should think.

 

[JEBar]

If Elio qualified for CAFE credits and the program continues, I am sure Ford and Elio could work out an agreement.

it has long been reported that motorcycles/autocycles do not qualify for CAFE credits .... some efforts have been noted to change this, has anyone seen anything official about any success in this area

 

[Johnny Acree]

Big word,,if

 

[Samalross]

it has long been reported that motorcycles/autocycles do not qualify for CAFE credits .... some efforts have been noted to change this, has anyone seen anything official about any success in this area

As far as I know there has been nothing, not even sure if program will continue. With

I can't imagine anyone wanting to roll back high mpg mandates and CAFE Credits. I hope they are unsuccessful in doing so.
View attachment 21719

I am impressed with your research capabilities Rick

 

[Elio Amazed]

Wondering if anyone has heard about the Elio exhaust system. I wonder if it will be stainless or if that would be an option.

There was a time when having a shop bend stainless pipe and install it was actually cheaper than having a shop put on OEM plain steel.

 

[booboo]

After you have your Elio, the next thing you need is, of course ...

 

[Doug McDow]

After you have your Elio, the next thing you need is, of course ...

Boo, I found a package deal on E-Bay for $500.00. I will buy it and stay ahead of the game!

 

[RUCRAYZE]

After you have your Elio, the next thing you need is, of course ...

Is the guy on the left, last name Manning?

 

[Karg]

I heard the exhaust will have kazoo like qualities, what else would you expect from a squirrel cage engine.
But then again what exhaust? What engine? What car? Where's mine?