I think the gas mileage claims are probably a bit overly optimistic. It's basically a heavy motorcycle. I get pretty good gas mileage on my Vision but nowhere near 84mpg. On the other hand, I have a hell of a lot bigger motor.
It says it is being built at a former GM factory, nothing new lots of former GM factories are being used for other things.
My old plant in Framingham, MA is now an automotive auction house.
It is not unusual for any former auto plant to change hands. GM no longer owns it.
Whoever buys it or if they can lease it is allowed to do whatever they want with the place isn’t that true now? That is the reason I asked who is doing this, another car company or is just a startup company that it sounds like in the article.
The thing that bothers me is that I can’t find anywhere in the article who is doing this. Sounds kind of shady to me, I know, I understand how startup companies sometimes require investments by preorders to make sure they have enough sales.
I hope whoever is doing this is an American company and not the Chinese. Because it sure looks like something the Chinese would make, not something an American company would make.
But after watching both videos on the link I see that isn’t true.
I want to tell a little story now about me, I worked for GM for 15 years in many jobs at the Framingham, MA plant before they finally shuttered it. When I worked there and we knew this was coming I asked a friend who was a union rep. what he thought of the idea of getting a bunch of us who are getting laid off together to make our own vehicle, something we all had input on. He thought it was a great idea, but I could not get enough people interested in the idea from all the areas we would need to build something like this, well a new car company.
I had read about some guy who had made a car that ran on vegetable oil for free he got from burger joints and donut shops and drove all over the country for FREE. That idea didn’t get much attention from those I talked to; they thought a regular car was what it should be, not something experimental. But I was open to other ideas as far as that went, hey I am no engineer and we would need them as well as assemblers and book keepers and every other job in building something so new. We talked about electric cars and every other kind of car but couldn’t get all to agree on one idea.
So that just went the way of the Dodo.
I think this is a great idea for people who could use something like this but I do see a few problems.
No trunk, You need a motorcycle license to drive this. Now that could be fixed simply by putting one more wheel on the thing. See the thing is most people who would buy something like this might never get on a motorcycle. You have to take a 2 wheeled motorcycle for the test to get the license so unless you already have one you are going to have to get one or borrow one to pass the test. A lot of people who would buy this would never even think of driving a motorcycle. I am sure there are other things that will be problematic in making this a good idea for everyday drivers.
I hope it works and is a good seller for these guys and I am sure if it is other car companies will follow their lead.
Now I would not buy one myself but like others have said they would so I am sure it will work.
Steve
------------------ Technology is great when it works, and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't
"Fun. It’s a blast to drive. Imagine every little errand, every daily commute being something you look forward to because it means you’ll be driving your Elio. It looks cool. "
Whoever buys it or if they can lease it is allowed to do whatever they want with the place isn’t that true now? That is the reason I asked who is doing this, another car company or is just a startup company that it sounds like in the article.
The thing that bothers me is that I can’t find anywhere in the article who is doing this. Sounds kind of shady to me, I know, I understand how startup companies sometimes require investments by preorders to make sure they have enough sales.
I hope whoever is doing this is an American company and not the Chinese. Because it sure looks like something the Chinese would make, not something an American company would make.
Watch the press conference I posted, he names his chief financial backer (I don't recall the name but its in the video)
You can’t take a test with anything but a 2 wheeled motorcycle.
Steve
While this is true - your statement:
quote
See the thing is most people who would buy something like this might never get on a motorcycle. You have to take a 2 wheeled motorcycle for the test to get the license so unless you already have one you are going to have to get one or borrow one to pass the test. A lot of people who would buy this would never even think of driving a motorcycle.
is not entirely accurate, at least in Oklahoma. In such a case in OK all one would have to do would be to take a MSF course. Many (if not all) MSF courses provide the bikes to be used and in OK taking an approved course gets the skills portion of the test waived. One would still need to pass the written, though.
If it makes it to the mainstream I'll buy one to drive back and forth from work to home. With a 1200 mile one way commute it would pay for itself in a short amount of time, and with the low price it's affordable.
Plus it's small enough I could stick it on a trailer, and haul it around for moving to the next job when I need to move everything.
Now, if the price goes too much higher it'll be a no go.
give it a few years and used ones will be around 3 grand. I would grab one for that much, but 7 for a commuter just isnt going to save me that much in gas over the lifespan of the vehical, considering I will need my truck 1/2 the time anyway just for cargo capacity.
give it a few years and used ones will be around 3 grand. I would grab one for that much, but 7 for a commuter just isnt going to save me that much in gas over the lifespan of the vehical, considering I will need my truck 1/2 the time anyway just for cargo capacity.
That’s one more of the things I have a problem with it, no real trunk like our Fiero’s have. I mean it isn’t a huge trunk like my old caddies and Lincolns had. Hell I bet you could fit an Elio in an 80’s one of ether of those.
Were as that has no trunk just watch the video, you see them putting a bag a groceries in the back seat, that makes It a single seater.
If they just put a 4th wheel on it I bet they could have enough room to have a trunk as well.
I know you guys are going to say the trunks in our Fiero’s are that big but hell I know you can fit 2-50 lb. bags of dog food in them, or a dozen cases of cokes or beers.
I see the thing as just to small, but then there are some people who could use them, just like there are some who can use a bike.
Steve
------------------ Technology is great when it works, and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't
Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.
[This message has been edited by 84fiero123 (edited 01-31-2013).]
give it a few years and used ones will be around 3 grand. I would grab one for that much, but 7 for a commuter just isnt going to save me that much in gas over the lifespan of the vehical,
considering I will need my truck 1/2 the time anyway just for cargo capacity.
Read My Lips, this will not survive more than 2 to 3 years unless backed by the US Taxpayer. Assuming they even make it into production. The price is unrealistic for what they say they are offering. Hell, labor will eat up over half maybe more of that per vehicle or, it will be made from parts from other cheap labor countries and assembled in the US just so they can claim a US base. After that, they be just a niche ride and scrap. I'm so sure this will fail, I'll put $50 on a failure within 3 years of start up. Heck, I'd bet $20 they don't even make it to start up.
------------------ Ron "The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed, lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work instead of living on public assistance." - Cicero , 55 BC. So, evidently we've learned nothing in the past 2,000+ years.
Originally posted by blackrams: Read My Lips, this will not survive more than 2 to 3 years unless backed by the US Taxpayer. Assuming they even make it into production. The price is unrealistic for what they say they are offering. Hell, labor will eat up over half maybe more of that per vehicle or, it will be made from parts from other cheap labor countries and assembled in the US just so they can claim a US base. After that, they be just a niche ride and scrap. I'm so sure this will fail, I'll put $50 on a failure within 3 years of start up. Heck, I'd bet $20 they don't even make it to start up.
I am willing to be that thing is 90-95% "parts bin" construction with almost all of it being "donated" by something else, and Elio is nothing but an assembly shop. In THAT case, the price is in line and they may have a decent crack at staying around a while as tooling / engineering investment is minimal.
[This message has been edited by MidEngineManiac (edited 01-31-2013).]
Isn't this kind of the same thing as this but with a body kit?
Not even close. Read the articles, look at the website, et cetera. It's a front wheel drive economy car, narrowed and with the rear wheels combined into 1 center wheel. The Can Am is more like a snowmobile and a motorcycle mixed, whereas the Elio doesn't seem to have any motorcycle DNA.
Of course, everything is relative. I'll apply your logic to other cars and say that my Crown Vic is just this with a body kit:
I would be right on that thing. Looks fun great gas mileage and the price is right there. I like it.
I have wanted to build one of the three wheeled motorcycle powered jobs for years. I wonder if you could build a motorcyle three wheeler that you could simply unbolt and bolt on different bikes, like a 250cc commuter and a 1100cc fun time power plant.
I'd buy one of these before I'd consider a Smart. PLUS, its made in the USA - the only kind of car I'll drive.
Eeven though the driver couldn't see out of it, it looks kind of odd without a rear window. I wonder if that's an option? No matter. You could paint one on.
Agree, wonder why no window, maybe stronger. How's about in a convertible?
I would be right on that thing. Looks fun great gas mileage and the price is right there. I like it.
I have wanted to build one of the three wheeled motorcycle powered jobs for years. I wonder if you could build a motorcyle three wheeler that you could simply unbolt and bolt on different bikes, like a 250cc commuter and a 1100cc fun time power plant.
I don't see why not, from an engineering standpoint. I have no idea what the legality would be, but it wouldn't be too hard to create. The hardest part would be linkage for throttle and shifting and rear braking, all of which could be fairly easily overcome.
I think a steering wheel, non-straddle seat and hard top is going to qualify this as a car for license purposes. Just because it has 3 wheels does not make it a motorcycle, and there have been 3-wheel cars in the past. If it is produced, I bet it will count as a car.
I have seen so many of these concepts come and go. I even owned a Pulse/Litestar classified as a mototcycle/trike that got 100mpg with the original motor. VERY fun vehicle and easy to drive. Very simple design, and with more modern materials I bet MPG would be even better (was very heavy fiberglass...)
I had high hopes for the "Ale'" from fuelvapors technology...supposedly got 92mpg.
I would buy one today. 90% of my trips are alone or moving my kid one place to another. Definitely keep my big boy toy and need my truck for my rentals and helping people. Make mine white.
I hope they come to market because we will eventually be getting cheaply made Chinese automobiles and I would rather be looking into something that has some home grown ingenuity. It will probably only be produced in a small number and be a footnote in automotive history, kind of the like the mid 70's electric Citi car, but if it gets cheap transportation into the hands of those that want it, I wish them the best!
I can see some people buying this for work or errands. For that its more practical than electrics. I laughed when I seen power windows. lol. Whats the window, like 18" at the most from you. Thats like people that have indash radios that have a remote control....why? Is it really that hard to reach up and push a button that you need to dig for a lost remote to push a button on instead...
I think the lack of cargo space could be partially addressed with a trailer hitch. Even a class 1 hitch could be very useful.
That said, I'm envisioning a silver one with a faux tail rudder, black hood, and shark mouth graphics.
Oh you bastard.... I LIKE the way you think I WAS planning on buying an orange one.... But now... A Spitfire Elio would indeed be awesome! I would only have to put gas in it about 6 times a year.....
I like it. I think it would be a fun way to get around. For $6800, its cheap, fun transportation. I looked on the Elio website, the interior looks pretty nice and it has a stick shift. It reminds me of this.
The Elio Motors Preview Tour to be in Cincinnati, Ohio!
Monday June 10th and Tuesday June 11th
Come experience the Elio for yourself this Monday from 3-7pm and Tuesday from 11am - 7pm in downtown Cincinnati at The Great American Ballpark, home of the Cincinnati Reds!
The Elio prototype will be there for you to see and feel live! Bring your friends and family to see the next big thing in transportation!
[This message has been edited by CoolBlue87GT (edited 06-09-2013).]
Is Cleveland ready to rock the Elio?!?! We are rolling into the Cleveland Ohio area this week and will be sharing the future of transportation at the Crocker Park in Westlake, Ohio! The address is 158 Crocker Park Blvd., Westlake OH 44145.
We will be there Wednesday June 12th from 3-7pm and Thursday June 13th from 11am - 7pm.
Come on down and bring everyone you know with you! The more you see the Elio, the more you will LOVE IT!
See you in Cleveland!
The Elio Team
[This message has been edited by CoolBlue87GT (edited 06-11-2013).]
We have locations finalized for the next two weeks in Grand Rapids and West Branch! Here you go...
Grand Rapids, MI - Wednesday June 26th, 3-7pm and Thursday June 27th 11-7pm at the Gerald Ford Museum. The address: 303 Pearl St NW, Grand Rapids, MI. ‎
West Branch, MI - Tuesday July 2nd at Tanger Outlet Mall Exit 212 2990 Cook Road West Branch, MI 48661. We will be there from 1-7pm!
Come on down, bring everyone you know! Seeing your future Elio in person will make you love it more!
Also, we want to share the rough schedule moving forward. This is subject to change and we will let you know the locations in front of our visits. Here is the schedule from now through July - two days per area, except NYC:
Week of July 8th: Pittsburgh and Washington DC Week of July 15th: Baltimore and Philly Week of July 22nd: New York City Week of July 29th: Connecticut
That will get everyone through July, there are a couple more stops in the northeast that are yet to be scheduled.... Boston, Albany, Syracuse, Buffalo... stay tuned!
New York City here we come! Thursday through Sunday!
We are taking NYC by storm! It all starts Thursday, August 8th at the Good Morning America Show (GMA) in Time Square! That's right, the Elio is going BIG in NYC! Set your alarms, watch it live, and set the DVR to watch it again later! Here is how the rest of the week shapes up:
Thursday, 8/8: GMA in the morning!! We will be set up early and stay for the whole show. After that we will be making random stops in Manhattan. We will post them on our twitter account so that you can stop by (@eliomotors)! Thursday evening we will also be in Yonkers from 6-8pm at Cross County Mall, 8000 Mall Walk, Yonkers, NY 10704. We will be part of the "Movies at the Park". Come on down!
Friday, 8/9: We will be back in Manhattan making some media stops that we will communicate to you through twitter during the morning. After that we will have a Tour stop at Kings Plaza, 5100 Kings Plaza, Brooklyn, NY 11234. This will be a normal Preview Tour stop from 3pm - 7pm. We will have an awesome reveal at this show... you have to come and see it!
Saturday, 8/10: We will be at Queens Center, 9015 Queens Blvd, New York, NY 11373. This is another great mall location, indoors, so that we can all be protected from the elements! We will be there all day too, 10:00am to 9:00pm!
Sunday, 8/11: Heading to NJ for a stop at Freehold Raceway Mall, 3710 Route 9, Freehold, NJ 07728. Come by between 11am and 5pm to experience the Elio firsthand!
We are looking forward to a great time in the NYC area! Come down - when and where you can - to see your new vehicle!
Reservations! If you have been on the fence, now is the time to make your reservation! The nation will know more about Elio tomorrow so take advantage of finding us early! Reservations are picking up daily and tomorrow millions will see the next big thing in transportation! Get your reservation here!
Speaking of reservations, there seems to be some confusion about upgrades. The program was put in place for people that have an "All-In" reservation at the $100, $250 or $500 level so that they could add to their existing reservation and move up on the list. Those of you that have a $1000 Gotta Have It reservation are already at the top of the list, so you can't go any higher! Also, no one will go ahead of you on the list by adding to their reservation... $1000 is the top you are there already! That is why we sent you your "Spot in Line" email, that number is the number vehicle you will receive!
It is going to be a great weekend in NYC, we look forward to seeing everyone and showing the Elio to all of America!
I WAS planning on buying an orange one.... But now... A Spitfire Elio would indeed be awesome!
