Tech Friday: Souring on backing startups with great ideas

| June 3, 2022

Over the years, I have backed a few smaller companies needing capital and pre-sales to expand their businesses. Before the days of online crowdfunding platforms such as Indiegogo and Kickstarter, I participated as an investor in two smaller Ohio local companies … one that landed a contract to fulfill candy for Disney World which need […]

Holy Toledo! It looks like a Rivian R1T EV being charged

| March 27, 2022

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Learning about automotive manufacturing and Digital Buck

| October 22, 2019

One thing about waiting for a start-up car company to build a car is that I’m learning a lot more about the automotive manufacturing process. Nowadays, many of the parts are manufactured by suppliers to the automotive industry and then assembled. The same will be true for the unique Elio Motors three wheel tandem seating […]

Read between the lines – When will ElioMotors begin production?

| January 6, 2019

Last year, the chit-chat from Paul Elio was that production of the Elio was scheduled for the end of 2019 … far longer than any reservation holder had anticipated. I’ve remained confident and have ignored the doubters … but likely because I’ve put on an artificial blindfold to remain positive – who likes  admitting they […]

IF Elio Motors builds my car, what about trim levels?

| October 4, 2018

Yes … I’m still waiting on my Elio. I can’t say that I’m confident they will ever roll off the factory assembly line, but since my deposit is likely already gone one way or the other, I’ll try to remain positive. This week’s Momentum, the Elio Motors newsletter for customers, discussed their philosophy on “trim […]

It would be nice if ElioMotors communicated like Magfast

| August 2, 2018

I have, and do, support a few crowd funded projects — I’ve placied preorders taking on risk and see it as taking a small scale venture capital risk (without much reward). A couple bigger investments have been Elio and MagFast. The latter posts weekly, and relatively personal updates via YouTube video, on how the process […]

Lars Larson interviews Paul Elio about stagnation at Elio Motors

| May 19, 2018

Although the new auto company Elio Motors has struggled financially to move their production forward, Paul Elio still claims the Shreveport, Louisiana plant is 1-1/2 years from production. Those of use who have deposits and reservations and blog about it in are still hopeful, although low fuel prices, advancements in EVs and American’s love of […]

How big or little is the Elio going to be?

| February 5, 2018

Although there are quite a few reservation holders starting to doubt whether we’ll ever see production (last update was 2019 deliveries), the marketing team continues to tease (update) on this small commuter car. The original low price has been inched up, but it still will be a bargain if Elio Motors can afford to put […]

Might take a tour of the Elio Motors facility, someday … maybe?

| October 27, 2017

Received an email from Elio Motors (yes they are still alive) with an opportunity that I’m hoping to take advantage of when (IF) I ever get to pick up my "all in" order. I do enjoy reading the updates and hope production begins next year as planned. The big concern for most of us is that […]

ElioMotors public image is still showing a stiff upper lip

| June 21, 2017

With financial concerns looming for Elio Motors, they continue to put out positive PR remarks to their "All In" reservation holders, prospective buyers and investors. Everything from their perspective is positive is a series of questions/answers  posted on their website. One Q & A indicates that Elio Motors is "targeting 2018" to be the year […]

Elio Motors make appearances and send out optimistic updates

| June 5, 2017

BUT … I would be remise not to share a few of the negative articles regarding Elio Motors weak fiscal condition, but would like to think this car will still be built. Last month Digital Trends published their update. Elio Motors, the Arizona-based startup that promised to change the way Americans commute, is in dire […]

Hey Rich, how comfortable will you be in that new little Elio?

| February 9, 2017

My answer to "how comfortable?" – is that "I don’t really know"… because I haven’t been in one yet. But, I suspect after flying small airplanes like the Cessna 152 that someone who is 6’1" and 195 lbs like me should be "ok" for all but the longest trips. Here’s what the Elio blog has […]

The Elio Motors confusing reservation structure

| January 16, 2017

The Elio came up in a discussion and the question came up, "how much will it really cost?" That’s when I realized just how confusing the low price point could be. Gone is the much marketed $6800 car as the current reservation price is $7300 … at least for about 1000 more orders. There is […]

The old Mercedes is out and about and starting a boat project

| September 18, 2016

After sitting quietly most of the summer, my friend Jeff needed to borrow a set of wheels for a week. He has intimately name the 1982 MB diesel the "old girl" and seems to appreciate her many quirks. Since it isn’t covered, there was a little dust, but she still looks pretty good to me. […]

How will the Elio achieve 84 mpg?

| June 17, 2016

Another Elio Motors update detailed more on a variety of engineering points (my previous posts) … particularly on how the Elio will achieve the advertised 84 mpg. Powertrain – An Efficient Union of Technology and Efficiency The other system we’re checking out this week is the Elio’s powertrain, which will help the Elio run as […]

Excitement is building, but the Elio is not in production … yet

| June 14, 2016

The hardest part in putting down a deposit or investing way before a company is even off the ground is not the fear of failure, but the anticipation. Elio is doing their part to keep the excitement alive by sending out development photos, surveys and computer generated drawing. So far, they are doing most everything […]

Elio Motors shares launch on OTCQX

| February 20, 2016

Time to keep an eye on this small company … really hoping it can keep promises and start producing a $6800 three wheeled car without too many hiccups. Shares will be traded on the OTCQX under the ticker ELIO according to a press release.   PHOENIX, Feb. 19, 2016 – Elio Motors, Inc. (OTCQX: ELIO), […]

Elio Motors with their P5 is closer to a production prototype

| October 31, 2015

While there is interest in the stock offering by Elio, most following this new American car company prefer to focus on the P5 prototype. I’m still amazed that they still are planning to their new “from the ground up” engine in the P5 and not something off the shelf. It will be interesting to see […]

The Elio P5 prototype is fitted for the new engine

| October 6, 2015

Since I’m “all in” with a “spot in line” to purchase an Elio, it has me focused on following the progress towards building a production vehicle. I’m skeptical that this new company can achieve the high bar they have set (especially the $6800 price), but I’m enjoying the ride with them. This week a few […]

Elio Motors has interest from nearly 5000 potential investors

| July 8, 2015

Elio Motors issued a press release today on the crowd funding “non-binding” interest for equity in their new American start-up car company. Troy, Mich., July 8, 2015 – Elio Motors today announced it is off to a record-setting pace for its disclosed equity crowdfunding campaign, with more than $16 million in expressed non-binding interest from […]

Crowdfunding with StartEngine.com and ElioMotors

| July 1, 2015

Investing in startups outside of a business where I have been hands-on management has never panned out successfully for me …  so I’m not sure why I think ElioMotors will be different? In other words, treat that last statement a warning and my skepticism beyond seeing a new car company as interesting and exciting IF […]

Video: More teasing from Elio Motors

| June 24, 2015

Almost a year since our deposit (ALL IN was in November 2014) and our Elio delivery is still a year or so away … even if everything stays on track! Ugh. Also they are looking to raise a few dollars as a start-up company … although it goes without saying, this should be money you […]

Will ElioMotors hit the price, efficiency and production targets?

| March 1, 2015

Really just love the above camera angle of the Elio … a new micro-car company making its public relation rounds and aggressively taking pre-orders. I’ve mentioned Elio previously and am anxious to see, drive and OWN the little commuter car. There are plenty of details to be concerned about since their targets are aggressive for […]

Paint our Elio red, please …

| November 28, 2014

With the “Elio upgrade Holiday Promotion” that will help lock in my “SIL” (Spot in line) and 50% bonus offer on an Elio … and a need to spend money on Black Friday without going to the stores [/sarcasm], I’ve upgraded my “ALL IN” status making a true commitment to this new car company. Paint […]

Coming around to the idea of an Elio

| September 2, 2014

My wife is slowly coming around to the idea of an Elio as a commuter car. The PR swing they have been making around the country seems to have others showing interest too … but can they keep the quality up in order to sell it for $6800???

TechFriday 2: Testing embed.ly with an Elio video story

| August 22, 2014

A second Tech Friday post: I’ve been looking for an excuse to try embed.ly … so here it goes with a Fox Business News Elio story … and a good PR one at that.

Technology that helps to avoid hitting a moose in an Elio

| August 16, 2014

While we wait for our Elio, it is interesting to watch the social networking buzz and behind the scenes engineering testing that goes into developing a new vehicle … like thinking about “hitting a moose.” Let’s face it, hitting a moose is not good for any vehicle (or the moose). So, over the years, car […]

Waiting on our Elio

| July 27, 2014

The interesting Elio “personal vehicle” has interested me since I first saw the companies marketing some time ago, but recentely decided that I wanted to get my reservation (with the 50% promo) in before it expires. The car, if you call it that, is price much lower than one would expect and looks to offer […]

Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee

  1. lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
  2. digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.
My Desultory Blog