Might actually buy a new car for myself

fasted58 wrote: Google didn't return any engine info. So who builds a 3 cylinder, 1 liter, 70 HP, fuel injected, DOHC gas powered, liquid cooled automotive engine?

Daihatsu(?)

Why is the single door on the left side of the car? Was it developed in England? I would think that if you sit in the middle, you would want to get out on the 'sidewalk' side... But then again, maybe they want people to feel familiar with having the shifter on the right.

In reply to poopshovel:

Think you got it.

Per Wiki:

EJ-series (1 litre)

The EJ-series appeared in February 1998. A 81.0 mm stroke and a 72.0 mm bore makes for a total displacement of 989 cc (1.0 L). It is a DOHC, 12-valve inline three-cylinder water-cooled engine. After the Perodua MyVi was redesigned in 2011, it is no longer used in any automotive applications. Production of the EJ-VE engine (for upright placement) is continued for industrial use.

I don't remember where I heard it, but I thought it was an engine manufacturer that has a racing history. I'll have to figure out where I heard/read it.

DrBoost wrote: I don't remember where I heard it, but I thought it was an engine manufacturer that has a racing history. I'll have to figure out where I heard/read it.

They said it early on in the video.

Looks interesting!

Saw this the other day, if it really comes to fruition I can definitely see buying one for my 140 mile a day commute. Make my green or orange please....visibility is a plus.

Interesting, one of these could make a nice DD and it costs less than a sportbike...but I gotta say, I'm let down horribly by the styling. With that shape and proportions, just minor styling tweaks could take it from "plain, bordering on dorky" to "OMG so cool!" I think the headlights are responsible for a lot of it. Even Sevenesque headlights would be a huge improvement.

I like this shot the best:

I hope it can pass US crash standards and overcome it being classified a motorcycle by some states.

Isn't the secret that if classified as a motorcycle, it does not have to pass crash testing?

I like the concept, but am very skeptical that 1) they will be able to meet that price point and 2) they will be able to create a successful automotive start up

JohnRW1621 wrote: Isn't the secret that if classified as a motorcycle, it does not have to pass crash testing?

Funny, I was about to say "Why not just buy a really nice used Goldwing?"

You can lock more stuff up inside it and stay dry in the rain?

I think as long as this stays in the 4-digit range nobody will bat an eye at the price.

JohnRW1621 wrote: Isn't the secret that if classified as a motorcycle, it does not have to pass crash testing?

I think that's it. It doesn't appear to have any type of seat belt or restraint system that I can see in the pictures. Being a "motorcycle" they can cut a lot of cost and do with out things a car would have to have. Also, not really sure why it can't have a rear window of some sort, even a little one unless it's to save cost. I still like it though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFHr4Bhf-8g

Front engine FWD, "roll cage" under composite panels, 3 air bags, Paul Elio, said it doesn't have to meet the traditional safety standards since it's classified as a motorcycle, but then says, "we will meet all the 4 wheel standards." They stated their goal as 5 star safety rating, but they don't say over all, front, rear, or side.

If they actually do what they say, at the price they're claiming, the have my attention.

• Lee

DrBoost wrote: Yeah, one issue with the motorcycle classification is AL (where it's built) requires a helmet and cycle endorsement on your license. Elio thinks they can get that handled though. AL already spent something like $150,000,000 to get Elio there.

Is it built in AL or LA? I read it was built in Shreveport.

93EXCivic wrote:

DrBoost wrote: Yeah, one issue with the motorcycle classification is AL (where it's built) requires a helmet and cycle endorsement on your license. Elio thinks they can get that handled though. AL already spent something like $150,000,000 to get Elio there.

Is it built in AL or LA? I read it was built in Shreveport.

They bought a closed-down GM plan in Shreveport, LA. It appears I was dyslexic.

Read an article yesterday that says Louisiana has already put an helmet exemption on the books for them.

http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20130416/NEWS11/130416027/Bill-exempts-Elio-Motors-concept-car-from-motorcycle-laws

Oh E36 M3! If it specs out like the website says, sign me up!! In one of the pictures, it looks like the driver is wearing a seatbelt, so I'm guessing it'll have one. I love the Can Am Spyders, but have always been afraid of motorcycles. Not that I'd expect this thing to match up well in a head on with an Escalade, but if it's got airbags, a well built cage and a seatbelt, it'll be a good bit better than a bike. Watching with extreme interest....

Something is fishy about this operation....

I'm going to ignore the whole car concept, and go to the buisiness claims.

They claim that they will have 1500 employees.

Ok, lets assume that they pay them all entry level auto manufacturers wage, which is $15/hr, and NO benefits- just that pay and nothing else.

That's a basic payroll of $900k per week. To JUST cover that and nothing else, they have to sell 133 per week. Which is just under 7000 per year. No parts, no power, no development- just core payroll.

Now, this is a sub B class car, for sure- more of a subset of the Smart car market.

I can't see selling 7000 per year. Let alone enough to pay the cost of running a plant, pay for the cost of the materials and parts, pay for the development, etc.

The one claim makes me question the rest of the claims. Moreso, the reality of the company.

alfadriver wrote: Something is fishy about this operation.... I'm going to ignore the whole car concept, and go to the buisiness claims. They claim that they will have 1500 employees. Ok, lets assume that they pay them all entry level auto manufacturers wage, which is $15/hr, and NO benefits- just that pay and nothing else. That's a basic payroll of $900k per week. To JUST cover that and nothing else, they have to sell 133 per week. Which is just under 7000 per year. No parts, no power, no development- just core payroll. Now, this is a sub B class car, for sure- more of a subset of the Smart car market. I can't see selling 7000 per year. Let alone enough to pay the cost of running a plant, pay for the cost of the materials and parts, pay for the development, etc. The one claim makes me question the rest of the claims. Moreso, the reality of the company.

They have it set up where you can give them, basically a down-payment and get on the list for the first year of production. As little as $100. The reasons you outlined, and the probability of a new car start-up being successful are why I'm only interested at this point, not a paid place-holder. If they actually produce some, and they are close to those claims I'll be on board.

alfadriver wrote: Now, this is a sub B class car, for sure- more of a subset of the Smart car market. I can't see selling 7000 per year. Let alone enough to pay the cost of running a plant, pay for the cost of the materials and parts, pay for the development, etc.

These are far cheaper than the Smart, and if you sell a car for motorcycle prices that gets motorcycle MPG, maybe 7k will be sold per year.

In reply to alfadriver:

Why you gotta bring logic into this? It's super cool looking, cheap and sounds like fun. Screw logic...

alfadriver wrote: Something is fishy about this operation.... I'm going to ignore the whole car concept, and go to the buisiness claims. They claim that they will have 1500 employees. Ok, lets assume that they pay them all entry level auto manufacturers wage, which is $15/hr, and NO benefits- just that pay and nothing else. That's a basic payroll of $900k per week. To JUST cover that and nothing else, they have to sell 133 per week. Which is just under 7000 per year. No parts, no power, no development- just core payroll. Now, this is a sub B class car, for sure- more of a subset of the Smart car market. I can't see selling 7000 per year. Let alone enough to pay the cost of running a plant, pay for the cost of the materials and parts, pay for the development, etc. The one claim makes me question the rest of the claims. Moreso, the reality of the company.

It says they estimate 1,500 jobs. They do not currently have that many employees.

Sky_Render wrote: It says they *estimate* 1,500 jobs. They do not currently have that many employees.

Exactly.

So they seem to be estimate on making at least 35-60k of these things.

I don't see them selling more than 10k of them on a very, very good year.

They are estimating to generate money. I'm trying to understand their estimate.

And my numbers are based ONLY on the salery of basic entry level manufacting jobs. No supervisors, engineers, managers, etc. 1500 line workers making $15/hr without healthcare, 40hrs/week.

Doesn't add up.