The Options, They Are On Their Way

[Rickb]

How about using clear coat reflective paint on the outer edges of or the entire front fender.

 

[Rickb]

That's the beauty of 'ala carte', you can keep it KISS if you want to.

Or if you are like me and have no self ala carte restraint, KISS your money goodbye.

 

[floydv]

Maybe mimicking the Aptera might not be the best strategy for Elio...

Elio Motors has applied for an ATVM loan, just like Aptera did. It's a little late to worry about mimicking Aptera.

 

[bowers baldwin]

Elio Motors has applied for an ATVM loan, just like Aptera did. It's a little late to worry about mimicking Aptera.

Redesign was what killed the Aptera, sure a boat load of money could have saved them, but I think it was the radical changes on design that killed it.

 

[Jeff Miller]

We went from about $20 - $25 for simple fold up visor.
To $50 - $100 for modifying a seat and stocking two of each.
To $300 - $400 for installing a tablet and two seat versions.
I'm not saying my idea was the greatest, but that simple progression (above) was why my F150 cost me over $45K in 2011.

Yes, I recognized the diversion from simple and cheap to more expensive but luckily, we can get it "my way" and not burden everyone with the cost.

As for your F150 costing over $45K, I think Paul has addressed that very well in ePlus news release. I loved how he talked about the $300 garmin vs. the $3000 navigation systems you by from the auto manufacturers.

I recently looked at a replacement truck and was shocked at the current prices and made sure to share my opinion with everybody I talked to at the dealership. Their response was universally that the cost was related to all the toys being put on the trucks. They didn't seem to appreciate it when I told them I could get one heck of a lot of electronics for $20,000.

Paul said it in the press release and I believe he is on to something. That is that the auto manufactures are reducing their profit margins on the base vehicle and gouging the heck out of you on options to not only make that money back but to to also increase their revenue. DAMN GREEDY BASTARDS! I do believe that if ePlus works that it will be a game changer that will make vehicles more affordable again.

 

[HonestTex]

That's the beauty of 'ala carte', you can keep it KISS if you want to.

As long as I can ala cart off a set of open fenders in the back of my base model, I'll be a happy man!

 

[Coss]

How about reflective tires?

You'd have to check state laws; something like that is fine on a bicycle, but on a car it could be considered a visual distraction.

Just on a side note; I can see why that guy needed lighted tires; out riding in the dark, with all dark clothes on, no lights except on the wheels.
That's an accident just looking for a place to happen. Ok, it was just for advertising, but still .... Really?

 

[Marshall]

Has anyone mocked up a different tire fender design that better emulates the front of the Elio? I know the back of the P5 fender was redesigned from the P4 to match the angle of the P5's rear end. And the top half of the fender (from the uppermost point to the "Kamm" tail of the fender) emulates the P5's streamlined top and Kamm rear end.

My question is about the front half of the fender (looking at it from elevation/side view). It just looks like a rounded front with no reference to a similar styling point on the vehicle. Seems like a more interesting design of the fron half of the fender would be to extend it out a bit and shape it to better follow the hood and front end (without the grill opening). Not sure if there would be interference with the body during a sharp turn, but I'm curious about how this would look (kind of like a reverse Indian motorcycle fender).

I was thinking it might be a parabola of some kind rather than a simple or even compound curve.

 

[Rickb]

Yes, I recognized the diversion from simple and cheap to more expensive but luckily, we can get it "my way" and not burden everyone with the cost.

As for your F150 costing over $45K, I think Paul has addressed that very well in ePlus news release. I loved how he talked about the $300 garmin vs. the $3000 navigation systems you by from the auto manufacturers.

I recently looked at a replacement truck and was shocked at the current prices and made sure to share my opinion with everybody I talked to at the dealership. Their response was universally that the cost was related to all the toys being put on the trucks. They didn't seem to appreciate it when I told them I could get one heck of a lot of electronics for $20,000.

Paul said it in the press release and I believe he is on to something. That is that the auto manufactures are reducing their profit margins on the base vehicle and gouging the heck out of you on options to not only make that money back but to to also increase their revenue. DAMN GREEDY BASTARDS! I do believe that if ePlus works that it will be a game changer that will make vehicles more affordable again.

EM's MSRP base is low and options are high........good thing EM isn't a DAMN GREEDY auto manufacturer.

 

[RUCRAYZE]

EM's MSRP base is low and options are high........good thing EM isn't a DAMN GREEDY auto manufacturer.

I think once there is an established market 200k units, there will be the usual supply and demand, and prices/markets will be marketed.
Awhile ago I was shopping for a CAT back exhaust for my Beemer, and I was pleasantly surprised by the large number of manufacturers competing for my purchase, the quality and of course, the bottom line.
One option I haven't seen offered, was on an early VW owned by a friend, had the wind-up key on it. Helped promote interest, while introducing a new car concept :-)