Have you heard of Elio Motors?
#1
Have you heard of Elio Motors?
For the last few months, I've been following a small startup car company based in Detroit. They are called Elio Motors, founded by Paul Elio. Here is their website: http://www.eliomotors.com/
What is unique is that they are producing 3 wheeled cars. They will begin production in 2015.
After spending some time on their website and facebook page, here is some basic info I was able to scavenge
Technical details:
-front wheel drive
-5 speed manual or 6 speed automatic
-0.9 liter 3 cylinder n/a gas engine
-0-60 in 9.3 sec.
- top speed over 100 mph
- 84 miles per gallon!!!!!!
-2 seats (passenger sits behind the driver like in a fighter jet)
-weighs 1250 lbs.
- It's longer than a Honda Accord and as wide in the front
Standard features:
-Am/fm radio with ipod/ smartphone hookup
-a/c and heat
-Anti-lock brakes
-3 airbags
-steel reinforced roll cage
-5 star crash rating (they say, hasn't been tested)
-3 yr. warranty
These cars will be made in the USA in Shreveport in the old Hummer plant and will cost only $6800!!!
Since they are taking reservations, I am thinking of putting some money to reserve one. It seems perfect for commuting to grad school as I need something reliable and don't want to have to take out a huge loan or drive a 10 year old car that could need major work. I still will have my 90 F150 but I need something economical for commuting. What is your opinion on these? It seems like a great idea. My only concern is that I may have to have a motorcycle license to drive one since it only has 3 wheels (I have not looked to close into this). Seems easy to service myself. I'd rather have this then a motorcycle or a 10 year old Civic.
What are your thoughts???? Should I buy one??? And yes, it comes in more colors than just bright orange hehe
What is unique is that they are producing 3 wheeled cars. They will begin production in 2015.
After spending some time on their website and facebook page, here is some basic info I was able to scavenge
Technical details:
-front wheel drive
-5 speed manual or 6 speed automatic
-0.9 liter 3 cylinder n/a gas engine
-0-60 in 9.3 sec.
- top speed over 100 mph
- 84 miles per gallon!!!!!!
-2 seats (passenger sits behind the driver like in a fighter jet)
-weighs 1250 lbs.
- It's longer than a Honda Accord and as wide in the front
Standard features:
-Am/fm radio with ipod/ smartphone hookup
-a/c and heat
-Anti-lock brakes
-3 airbags
-steel reinforced roll cage
-5 star crash rating (they say, hasn't been tested)
-3 yr. warranty
These cars will be made in the USA in Shreveport in the old Hummer plant and will cost only $6800!!!
Since they are taking reservations, I am thinking of putting some money to reserve one. It seems perfect for commuting to grad school as I need something reliable and don't want to have to take out a huge loan or drive a 10 year old car that could need major work. I still will have my 90 F150 but I need something economical for commuting. What is your opinion on these? It seems like a great idea. My only concern is that I may have to have a motorcycle license to drive one since it only has 3 wheels (I have not looked to close into this). Seems easy to service myself. I'd rather have this then a motorcycle or a 10 year old Civic.
What are your thoughts???? Should I buy one??? And yes, it comes in more colors than just bright orange hehe
#3
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#5
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There's not much press for 2014. The last article I was able to find dates to 12/13 and, at that point, they were still claiming production at a shuttered GM plant in Shreveport but they needed around 10 mil from local pols to get it up and, supposedly, running. A promise of 1000 to 1500 jobs seemed to garner the attention of shreveport economic development folks, with the loan secured by real estate and business assets. So I guess the private equity is unsecured???
A lot of questions here. Target sales numbers don't align well with a projected dealer network of some 120 stores. Published expense projections seem economically naive.
I think its a cool idea but I would withold plunking down a deposit on a concept and instead wait for a production vehicle if it ever comes to fruition.
And I have a friend with a coal in the fire. Tim laid down 1000 bucks (non refundable) to get a preferred place on a list of potential buyers to take a stab at one of the early production vehicles.
I told him at least he's the 1st person in town to own a 1000 dollar tee shirt and, for the time being, I stand by my statement.
Hope I'm wrong.
A lot of questions here. Target sales numbers don't align well with a projected dealer network of some 120 stores. Published expense projections seem economically naive.
I think its a cool idea but I would withold plunking down a deposit on a concept and instead wait for a production vehicle if it ever comes to fruition.
And I have a friend with a coal in the fire. Tim laid down 1000 bucks (non refundable) to get a preferred place on a list of potential buyers to take a stab at one of the early production vehicles.
I told him at least he's the 1st person in town to own a 1000 dollar tee shirt and, for the time being, I stand by my statement.
Hope I'm wrong.
#7
As far as I can see, I don't think that they're being investigated for anything. However, their projected sales number and growth is way too ambitious. This picture is of a concept, not necessarily the production version. I don't see any wood in any pictures I've seen. The body is made of composite material so I'm not sure if it's plexiglass
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#8
My hesitations so far:
-I'd like to see side impact crash tests, since you are sitting close to the door
-I haven't sat in or test drove one
-can only hold 1 passenger
-lack of a significant truck (they say it can hold a carry on airline bag)
As much as I like it, I may wait until I can see it in person. I'd really like this company to succeed as it would force automakers to step up in the small car market and bring jobs back to the US car market.
I could buy a good Honda Civic, still get 40 mpg, carry 4 other people, and not be embarassed to take girls out on a date in it
-I'd like to see side impact crash tests, since you are sitting close to the door
-I haven't sat in or test drove one
-can only hold 1 passenger
-lack of a significant truck (they say it can hold a carry on airline bag)
As much as I like it, I may wait until I can see it in person. I'd really like this company to succeed as it would force automakers to step up in the small car market and bring jobs back to the US car market.
I could buy a good Honda Civic, still get 40 mpg, carry 4 other people, and not be embarassed to take girls out on a date in it
#9
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As far as I can see, I don't think that they're being investigated for anything. However, their projected sales number and growth is way too ambitious. This picture is of a concept, not necessarily the production version. I don't see any wood in any pictures I've seen. The body is made of composite material so I'm not sure if it's plexiglass
#10
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ok. must be another one than,
the "car" looked like this one.
the picture of the prototype was being shown all over the place, with a person sitting in it.
but when the feds finally go to physically see the prototype, it was made out of plywood with plexiglass windows and had bondo bodywork to smooth it out for a decent looking paint job.
it did not even have an engine or trans in it.
the "car" looked like this one.
the picture of the prototype was being shown all over the place, with a person sitting in it.
but when the feds finally go to physically see the prototype, it was made out of plywood with plexiglass windows and had bondo bodywork to smooth it out for a decent looking paint job.
it did not even have an engine or trans in it.
#11
ok. must be another one than,
the "car" looked like this one.
the picture of the prototype was being shown all over the place, with a person sitting in it.
but when the feds finally go to physically see the prototype, it was made out of plywood with plexiglass windows and had bondo bodywork to smooth it out for a decent looking paint job.
it did not even have an engine or trans in it.
the "car" looked like this one.
the picture of the prototype was being shown all over the place, with a person sitting in it.
but when the feds finally go to physically see the prototype, it was made out of plywood with plexiglass windows and had bondo bodywork to smooth it out for a decent looking paint job.
it did not even have an engine or trans in it.
#12
Tim (my friend with the deposit) went to a private showing in Minneapolis a few months ago to see the latest version of the prototype. They withheld specifics but he felt the skin was more of a composite material. He was pretty sure it was not fiberglas. Inner body panels were color-thru which would seem to support his opinion.
#14
They have a cad diagram somewhere showing a head on collision. Looks pretty safe. They are claiming it will have a 5 star crash safety rating. You're the crumple zone in a smart car haha. It seems more suited for Europe's tiny car market as a Ford Focus is a family car over there
#15
They have a cad diagram somewhere showing a head on collision. Looks pretty safe. They are claiming it will have a 5 star crash safety rating. You're the crumple zone in a smart car haha. It seems more suited for Europe's tiny car market as a Ford Focus is a family car over there
We have a 90 Honda Civic & if you don't see me here anymore you'll know what happened. LOL