Where Do You Stand Now?

[raybonz]

Ask yourself a question...if any of the big 3 or their Japanese and Korean counterparts like Toyota, Nissan, kia, Hyundai or Mazda take on the same 3 wheeler project like EM does, do you really think with their almost unlimited resources take that long to mass produce it? Funding is "everything" and it's not "just borrowed money" when NOBODY IS LENDING!!!

It's gonna be a long road ahead...

 

[Brainmatter]

Ask yourself a question...if any of the big 3 or their Japanese and Korean counterparts like Toyota, Nissan, kia, Hyundai or Mazda take on the same 3 wheeler project like EM does, do you really think with their almost unlimited resources take that long to mass produce it? Funding is "everything" and it's not "just borrowed money" when NOBODY IS LENDING!!!

Yes. It would take that long.
The lead time for a new vehicle from any of the major manufacturers is very long. Internal red tape is the rule of the day at the majors.
In fact, a vehicle like this would likely open them up to a vast number of lawsuits eventually. That is the only reason they would never produce it. Elio does not have the same amount of exposure there because they don't have the assets/ability to settle a frivolous suit, and the lawyers know it.

 

[goofyone]

Ask yourself a question...if any of the big 3 or their Japanese and Korean counterparts like Toyota, Nissan, kia, Hyundai or Mazda take on the same 3 wheeler project like EM does, do you really think with their almost unlimited resources take that long to mass produce it? Funding is "everything" and it's not "just borrowed money" when NOBODY IS LENDING!!!

Even with virtually unlimited resources it is well know that it takes those major manufactures an average of three (3) years to develop a new model from concept form completely through to a final product available for purchase. The problem is you never see that process as new vehicles are generally announced within months of when they go on sale. It takes them all that time and they don't even have to worry about where they will build the vehicles or how it will be distributed to consumers as they already have production facilities and a dealer network. There are plenty of places where you can find venture capital investors willing to invest huge sums of money on good ideas but it takes time to work through a lot of paperwork and demonstrate to them you are worth it. What Elio needs is as many reservations as possible so they can demonstrate that this is a viable business worth investing in.

 

[jetpack54]

Yes. It would take that long.
The lead time for a new vehicle from any of the major manufacturers is very long. Internal red tape is the rule of the day at the majors.
In fact, a vehicle like this would likely open them up to a vast number of lawsuits eventually. That is the only reason they would never produce it. Elio does not have the same amount of exposure there because they don't have the assets/ability to settle a frivolous suit, and the lawyers know it.

With all due respect, that's a very funny way of thinking! Don't you realize that if Elio was successful in producing it and made money out of it, they will have all the exposure in the world for everybody to sue them because by then they will have the assets that you're talking about! They might as well not produce it if they felt they can get sued in the future!

Even with virtually unlimited resources it is well know that it takes those major manufactures an average of three (3) years to develop a new model from concept form completely through to a final product available for purchase. The problem is you never see that process as new vehicles are generally announced within months of when they go on sale. It takes them all that time and they don't even have to worry about where they will build the vehicles or how it will be distributed to consumers as they already have production facilities and a dealer network. There are plenty of places where you can find venture capital investors willing to invest huge sums of money on good ideas but it takes time to work through a lot of paperwork and demonstrate to them you are worth it. What Elio needs is as many reservations as possible so they can demonstrate that this is a viable business worth investing in.

EM had this concept since 2008 from what I gather here. Six years, really? They are not re-inventing the wheel! Using existing parts! Most of the 50 States already approved the no helmet on the Elio car(correct me if I'm wrong)! Tesla motors took a little longer w/ their unlimited resources because they needed a better battery technology to run their car...Elio runs on 3 cylinder engine!
Again, if I have to bet, the big 3 and their Japanese and Korean counterparts are keeping a close eye on EM because whos' to stop them from making the same 3 wheeler if the Elio car turns out to be a success!!!

 

[ST13Fred]

It begs the question then, why haven't any of the major manufacturers built an Elio type vehicle? A Honda Civic could be built right now getting 84 MPG but at what cost in power? The US market likes its' power.
Elio is odd looking, lets' not kid ourselves.......but mostly because no other vehicle on the road looks like him. Maybe that is one BIG reason the majors aren't (and won't) build that style vehicle.
They spend a lot of time and money on R&D with concept cars testing the market to see what will be successful. Breaking too far from the norm is risking, from a business stand point and they know this.

 

[DBN477]

It begs the question then, why haven't any of the major manufacturers built an Elio type vehicle? A Honda Civic could be built right now getting 84 MPG but at what cost in power? The US market likes its' power.
Elio is odd looking, lets' not kid ourselves.......but mostly because no other vehicle on the road looks like him. Maybe that is one BIG reason the majors aren't (and won't) build that style vehicle.
They spend a lot of time and money on R&D with concept cars testing the market to see what will be successful. Breaking too far from the norm is risking, from a business stand point and they know this.

If the majors thought they could make any money on a vehicle they this, they would have built it (I'm including motorcycle & auto manufactures here). Bottom line is, if it makes money they will build and sell it. GM is spending $225 million to develop 3 & 4 cylinder engines, $55.7 to development of current 6 speed transmission and a new 8 speed transmission.
http://editorial.autos.msn.com/blogs/autosblogpost.aspx?post=e3ba5fcb-734e-4e50-bb5a-9752655f59ea
Think of the economies of scale the majors would enjoy...............The longer this thread goes on, the less confident I get in this being built(I did not expect that)..........

 

[JNR]

If the majors thought they could make any money on a vehicle they this, they would have built it (I'm including motorcycle & auto manufactures here). Bottom line is, if it makes money they will build and sell it. GM is spending $225 million to develop 3 & 4 cylinder engines, $55.7 to development of current 6 speed transmission and a new 8 speed transmission.
http://editorial.autos.msn.com/blogs/autosblogpost.aspx?post=e3ba5fcb-734e-4e50-bb5a-9752655f59ea
Think of the economies of scale the majors would enjoy...............The longer this thread goes on, the less confident I get in this being built(I did not expect that)..........

Toyota and Mercedes have had Elio like concepts, so it is on their radar. Modern car companies are very conservative, consider that Tesla was the first to market with a all electric car designed from the ground up.

 

[goofyone]

If the majors thought they could make any money on a vehicle they this, they would have built it (I'm including motorcycle & auto manufactures here). Bottom line is, if it makes money they will build and sell it. GM is spending $225 million to develop 3 & 4 cylinder engines, $55.7 to development of current 6 speed transmission and a new 8 speed transmission.
http://editorial.autos.msn.com/blogs/autosblogpost.aspx?post=e3ba5fcb-734e-4e50-bb5a-9752655f59ea
Think of the economies of scale the majors would enjoy...............The longer this thread goes on, the less confident I get in this being built(I did not expect that)..........

Why would the majors even attempt to sell something this different when they are successful doing what they are currently doing? Like all large enterprises they tend to be very risk averse as failures can easily cost long term employees, and highly paid executives, their careers. As a result they have a tendency to choose the safest route and do what they have always done but with some slight changes over time. It takes someone else trying something out of the ordinary and being somewhat successful for them to seriously consider something different. Of course this means that if Elio is successful at what they are trying to do there is a good chance someone else will either buy them out or attempt to compete against them but that is how business works.

It is a fact that three wheeled motorcycles have been a very successful, and profitable, segment of the motorcycle industry for a number of years now to the point that a few years ago even Harley Davidson got into the business directly after sitting on the sidelines for years watching others convert their bikes into trikes and sell them for crazy amounts of money. Can-Am has also been very successful at selling their Spyder trike at 2-3 times the cost of the Elio. I believe Elio is actually a logical extension of this movement and expands it to include many outside the traditional motorcycle market since it is fully enclosed and has a car like interior and controls.

 

[Jerry Greif]

If it’s more than 9K out the door, I think I’m out. I will eat the grand. Just bought a new Chevy Sonic, paid 14K out the door. Whole car 14k, half car 9k. The gas mileage to me, dose not compensate for the extra 5k and half the utility capabilities. JMO

I didn't' know that you could buy a Sonic that cheap, it is a cool little car. I still think that I would buy an Elio if it was 14k. I just think it will be a fun car to cruise around in, what kind of millage do you get with the Sonic

 

[DBN477]

Toyota and Mercedes have had Elio like concepts, so it is on their radar. Modern car companies are very conservative, consider that Tesla was the first to market with a all electric car designed from the ground up.

No it wasn't. The EV1? The Edison. The Comuta-Car. etc..