What's Coming Next?

[Frim]

I'm not sure we'll get announcements about batches of tests being completed, though we MAY get certain key results made public The reason: the test program is woven like a Jacquard tapestry: 23 cars doing 60+ tests, with a schedule that has to weave in and out to get them done. So it may take a couple of months to test, say, under hood thermal characteristics, because different cars may be doing that test at different times, and 4 cars are needed for that testing.. We do know Continental's doing the brake refinement (which involves testing, of course) now. And we know that as soon as possible one of these cars is going to be tested for mpg.

We know a little more about that. EPA wants the test to be "worst case" -- the heaviest car, all possible options, A/C running, etc. The EPA requires that ton the grounds that all he bells and whistles add to weight. Since Elio doesn't have its option list defined, this may slow down the gas mileage testing. Or perhaps they'll just add 100 extra pounds to compensate for things like the heated leather seat. Either way, Elio MUST get the mileage testing done to receive the ATVM loan. So I do think we'll see an announcement on that one test (which takes about 1 day to do at a qualified facility) sooner rather than later.

But they can't do the EPA test and still be messing around with things like frame and panel choices, or the brakes, for that matter. The EPA test car has be a running, fully-dressed model of the production vehicle. (No bait-and-switch permitted by EPA). The need for the official EPA test is real, but it can't be run until they have a road-worthy car. INFORMALLY, I bet they test the E-1 ASAP, and certainly test it on a road somewhere. That could be done as soon as the brakes are complete. There reason for doing that, aside from burning curiosity, is to see if they have to do anything more to boost MPG. They need to know that to start homing in on the real price of the car (which DOE ALSO requires, as part of the proof of financial viability requirement for the loan). Elio also needs to lock down the price and mileage as soon as possible because they've got to re-tune ALL their advertising, replacing "targeted" values with definite ones, both of which will most likely be "worse" than the goal values of 84 mpg / $6800.. Accordingly, the sooner they have a firm handle on cost and mpg, the sooner they can start dealing with reality in their PR and advertising.

It's kind of a dance, really -- and a lot of fun to watch.

Elio has to lock down a MSRP of $6800 and Tesla gets to charge $40,000+? Is there some rhyme or reason that I am missing? Why not just announce the final price after testing and costs have determined what it must be?

 

[Frim]

Flash Gordon?

Yes, with sparkler power.

 

[acamara]

Elio has to lock down a MSRP of $6800 and Tesla gets to charge $40,000+? Is there some rhyme or reason that I am missing? Why not just announce the final price after testing and costs have determined what it must be?

Has Tesla locked down a price? $40,000 + to me means the price has not been locked down either. Sounds like Tesla gets to charge something greater than $40,000 perhaps $46,800 or greater

Or am I missing something?

 

[Ekh]

Elio has to lock down a MSRP of $6800 and Tesla gets to charge $40,000+? Is there some rhyme or reason that I am missing? Why not just announce the final price after testing and costs have determined what it must be?

The Department of Energy requires a firm price to be able to determine if the manufacturer can be profitable at that price. This is part of the requirements for an ATVM Loan. Tesla isn't borrowing a nickel from anybody, so the question isn't really Apples to Apples. Or Teslas to Elios!

 

[Ekh]

What information do you have on a special announcement? Inside info?

LilyMay has feelings and intuition of course.

 

[Sethodine]

LilyMay has feelings and intuition of course.

The Force is strong with LilyMay.

 

[WilliamH]

Yes, with sparkler power.

Wonder if that meets EPA or DOE requirements?

 

[Rob Croson]

Here is an announcement that I haven't seen any place yet. Was looking at Google maps of Shreveport and saw Elio's name listed for the old GM plant

www.google.com/maps/search/general+motors+near+Shreveport,+LA/@32.4263349,-93.9220395,16.25z

FWIW - The factory has been labeled on Google maps as being "Elio Motors" for quite some time. At least a year.

 

[Ty]

Here is an announcement that I haven't seen any place yet. Was looking at Google maps of Shreveport and saw Elio's name listed for the old GM plant

www.google.com/maps/search/general+motors+near+Shreveport,+LA/@32.4263349,-93.9220395,16.25z

Still... Cool find.

 

[Muzhik]

Wonder if that meets EPA or DOE requirements?

Maybe DOE; certainly not EPA. Have you seen the smoky exhaust coming out of that thing?

(Hmmm... maybe rigging something like that to come out of the rear of the Elio, just above the rear wheel? ... Nah, too, too ... Hmmm.......)

(Of course, it would require a special wrap or paint job to look like Flash Gordon's ship ...)