What's Coming Next?

[Muzhik]

Steel body panels? STEEL? But ... but ... but ... but that means that when some kid runs into the side of your Elio in the grocery store parking lot, it won't cost $850 plus labor to replace the entire door! That's ... that's ... UNAMERICAN!

Next thing you know, they'll be telling us that the Elio can hit a stationary target at 15mph without causing $1,000 damage to the bumper! Bumpers designed to bump and not break? What's this country coming to!?

 

[Ekh]

Well, there it is! Steel panels --- took the prize! And -- did you count the number of chassis visible in the picture? I make it 8 (including completed cars). I betcha the white one is E1-c

 

[WilliamH]

Well, there it is! Steel panels --- took the prize! And -- did you count the number of chassis visible in the picture? I make it 9 (including completed cars). I betcha the white one is E1-c

With that announcement, things make more sense.
A. why they went to the uni-body construction
B. why we haven't heard about the 22 additional test units

A little disappointing that the SMC is out, but with that decision made, things can move forward.

 

[Ekh]

Well, there it is! Steel panels --- took the prize!

With that announcement, things make more sense.
A. why they went to the uni-body construction
B. why we haven't heard about the 22 additional test units

A little disappointing that the SMC is out, but with that decision made, things can move forward.

I'm not so clear on B, why we haven't heard about the additional test units. Do you think it's because things slowed down while they sorted out suppliers and materials for steel panels?

 

[Ekh]

Steel body panels?
Next thing you know, they'll be telling us that the Elio can hit a stationary target at 15mph without causing $1,000 damage to the bumper! Bumpers designed to bump and not break? What's this country coming to!?

I wouldn't go that far.

 

[WilliamH]

I'm not so clear on B, why we haven't heard about the additional test units. Do you think it's because things slowed down while they sorted out suppliers and materials for steel panels?

I think they were marching in place while they made the final decision and couldn't move forward on the other 22 until they knew what they were building. Once that was solidified they were able to get the steel panels and move ahead.

 

[Ty]

That's where the online displays don't do justice to the colors.
I always thought the Red looked like meh online; but when EKH sent us the High Res pictures of the P5 I changed my mind.

I have one idea; wouldn't it be cool to have like a 1/5 scale model of the Elio and have one for each color, painted in exactly the same color they would use on the production Elio's. Have them with the tour group, and as time went on, have them at each retail center.

Holy crap! That's a great idea! Now that they've settled on colors, they could release the color codes and system they are using. We could all see the colors that way as well. In fact, I know colors look differently with shapes involved but in lieu of building a bunch of models, they COULD at least have color panels made up to have on tour. It could be on a nice board they put up next to the Elio. "Available in these 7 colors! (Y****w coming soon)"

EDIT: For Extreme obscenity...

 

[Ekh]

Holy crap! That's a great idea! Now that they've settled on colors, they could release the color codes and system they are using. We could all see the colors that way as well. In fact, I know colors look differently with shapes involved but in lieu of building a bunch of models, they COULD at least have color panels made up to have on tour. It could be on a nice board they put up next to the Elio. "Available in these 7 colors! (Yellow coming soon)"

There you go again! Mentioning the Y word in public! Ty, I'm ashamed of you! (but it's a great idea to do swatch panels for the sales centers). Online colors are NEVER accurate.

 

[Ekh]

Regarding steel panels --- hate to say it but I TOLD YOU SO! (I'm not clairvoyant; the key was in the language used in the plant tour video).

 

[Ty]

Well, there it is! Steel panels --- took the prize! And -- did you count the number of chassis visible in the picture? I make it 8 (including completed cars). I betcha the white one is E1-c

I'd bet the white one is E1a since they are in production order in that picture.