Where Do You Stand Now?

[whattheelf]

Some of us believe enough to put our money where our hearts are. I'm proud to say I have invested in the future of Elio. Like the stock market my greatest hope is that it was a good investment but recognize there is no guarantee. I am an optomist so I have no problem worrying my "investment" when I go to sleep at night.

No one is losing sleep over EM. Reservations are rather some form of a vote which early adopters who like what they see, are willing to plunk down, most of the deposits the equivalent of going to one ballgame, no big deal. The same goes on kickstarter.com, you like something, many just send a few bucks in support of the idea. I'm an optimist as well, but no fool.

 

[whattheelf]

I had forgotten about the Isetta. Cool little car. I suspect BMW is satisfied with their Mini in the small car market.
I could see BMW back in with a three wheeler.........someday.......hopefully a tilter.

ALOT is going on with 3 wheelers, VW has some very cool twin passenger concepts in play, so does Nissan and Toyota, all tilters. There is crossovers going on too between motorcycles and 3 wheelers over at Piaggio, Peugeot, Honda, and more, some concepts have moved from the 3 wheel tilter scooter platform to an enclosed form factor as well.

There alot of interesting things going on with franchise players, if the market presents itself, they will be in overnite, and you won't have to take what they sell to Pep Boys for warranty and service work either.

 

[Rickb]

ALOT is going on with 3 wheelers, VW has some very cool twin passenger concepts in play, so does Nissan and Toyota, all tilters. There is crossovers going on too between motorcycles and 3 wheelers over at Piaggio, Peugeot, Honda, and more, some concepts have moved from the 3 wheel tilter scooter platform to an enclosed form factor as well.

There alot of interesting things going on with franchise players, if the market presents itself, they will be in overnite, and you won't have to take what they sell to Pep Boys for warranty and service work either.

I've been following three wheeler concepts for 10 years...........primarily tilters hoping one would get to production, but no luck. Now counting on Elio for that basic fun to drive three wheel vehicle. Also, lit motors for the ultimate enclosed cycle experience...........if both of these concepts fail to make it to production I won't be surprised. I chose to support their efforts with a pre-order and will continue that support as long as they show progress or until they announce it can't be done. I hope they both deliver my vehicles.

 

[Folks]

You can't anywhere draw the same comparison with Elio against your retirement investments. Your invested money is likely balanced, in case of the worst.

If you want a fair comparison, Tesla is public, with FAR better leadership, and easily 50 steps ahead of an EM, and funded beyond belief, yet would you invest in Tesla given the huge risk that Tesla may NEVER make a dime of profit??

Hi elf; As a long time student of battery technology. I find your attempts to compare these two completely different vehicle paradigms incredible. Funding battery technology is an all together different bottomless pit of investment requirements as apposed to a Gas engine for the Elio. From what i know about batteries Tesla and Elio are on two different planets. Not even pursuing the same market. If you're contending there is some hidden fact preventing investor interest in the Elio. I see far less reason to invest in the Tesla. Both, however, share the idea of economy of production scale. Paul seems to have a far better understanding of that than either you or the Tesla bunch.

 

[LGilbert]

It's not worth worrying about it, thus not worth giving a number. It will either arrive or not.

 

[whattheelf]

Hi elf; As a long time student of battery technology. I find your attempts to compare these two completely different vehicle paradigms incredible. Funding battery technology is an all together different bottomless pit of investment requirements as apposed to a Gas engine for the Elio. From what i know about batteries Tesla and Elio are on two different planets. Not even pursuing the same market. If you're contending there is some hidden fact preventing investor interest in the Elio. I see far less reason to invest in the Tesla. Both, however, share the idea of economy of production scale. Paul seems to have a far better understanding of that than either you or the Tesla bunch.

You are confusing the comparison, which is what is a real investment, one you wouldn't need to worry about much, a 401K or the Elio, and clearly the Elio is a complete nightmare comparatively.

The mention of Tesla, the much fairer comparison, vs an Elio, was not just because they are both looking to go after mass market vehicle adoption, but because both also have virtually the same zero chance of making it.

Nonetheless I would be investing in Elon Musk 100x over a roomful of Paul Elios. If anyone is actually pulling off a miracle, it would be Musk. Musk has major funding, investing capitial from stock, growing sales, a believable product roadmap, buildout of point of sales dealers, and is building major infrastructure to both further develop and support battery technology and high demand.

I agree there are significant business issues around battery technology, but if I were to bet on one guy actually capable of introducing a new vehicle platform into the auto industry, only Musk has the complete mad set of skills to do it. Musk has both the technical talent AND business talent. Elio is the kind of guy one of Musk's directors hires to run one of his dozen engineering departments.

We are all going to see yet more ways to skin the cat in moving vehicles around, as well as initiatives to stop owning cars altogether, while gas/oil just gets more expensive to buy over time. There are dozens of curves changing simultaneously in this game, some will be in it short term, and some will last longer, but all will eventually change. Along with those curves, and the rapid pace of change and shifting demographics, most will never even make it out of the gate, such as Elio.

EM's problem is that its an engineering consultancy at its heart, its not a fully vertically integrated business at heart. It spends 80% of its time, money, and energy tinkering with and refining its design, and 20% on the actual business/operations. As a result, years get wasted on refinements first, and filling in the supply chain as they get to it, and whatever volume market that was, fatigues out from waiting, and moves on.

The Elio is an easy design to like, but it now comes across like a shifty guy selling snake oil. Private equity doesn't invest just in what they like, they invest in what is LIKELY to SHIP and become an actual business, and they avoid snake oil. This is why EM will run out of cash before even the mass market had a chance, because an engineering company shouldn't ever be running a business of this magnitude, ever.

 

[Folks]

You are confusing the comparison, which is what is a real investment, one you wouldn't need to worry about much, a 401K or the Elio, and clearly the Elio is a complete nightmare comparatively.

The mention of Tesla, the much fairer comparison, vs an Elio, was not just because they are both looking to go after mass market vehicle adoption, but because both also have virtually the same zero chance of making it.


The Elio is an easy design to like, but it now comes across like a shifty guy selling snake oil. Private equity doesn't invest just in what they like, they invest in what is LIKELY to SHIP and become an actual business, and they avoid snake oil. This is why EM will run out of cash before even the mass market had a chance, because an engineering company shouldn't ever be running a business of this magnitude, ever.

We're bordering on the definition of "Gambling" rather than investments. Just my opinion. It's really hard to make a case for serious investing for either of these. So the implication that there are those careful calculators who know how to tickle the kitty and make it meow is a false concept too. Personally I think we need more "Cow bell" http://www.hulu.com/watch/536145

PS you really aught to change your name. LOL

 

[Neal]

We're bordering on the definition of "Gambling" rather than investments. Just my opinion. It's really hard to make a case for serious investing for either of these. So the implication that there are those careful calculators who know how to tickle the kitty and make it meow is a false concept too. Personally I thing we need more "Cow bell" http://www.hulu.com/watch/536145

Can never have too much cowbell!!!

 

[Craig]

Can never have too much cowbell!!!

LMAO

 

[Jim H]

Cowbells are used at New Mexico State university football games. You certainly can' t have toooo many cowbells. Go Elio (cowbells please) .