3 Wheels, 1 Door, Unbelievably Low Price – Examine The Elio Equation

Elio Motors is a startup automotive manufacturer currently located in Louisiana. They’ve been promoting their self-named car with 3 wheels for several years, but have recently been getting noticed thanks to prototypes of the car making tours of the country to entice people (and the media) to see the vehicles with 3 wheels first hand.

The idea for a car with 3 wheels is not new, of course, but has become more compelling now that fuel efficiency and the price of a new car have become concerns for many car buyers. The Elio sits on 3 wheels and is considered a motorcycle in most jurisdictions, yet it drives like a car and has a starting price lower than even some bicycles.

The Elio’s 3 wheels mean that the car gets a purported 84 miles per gallon on the highway, but it isn’t a hybrid. The car is about the size of a small Honda or Toyota, but weighs half as much as they do because it has only 3 wheels, seats two people, and has only one door. Despite it’s diminutive size and a lack of requirements by government to undergo crash testing (let alone have any safety features), this car on 3 wheels will pass all federal crash tests with flying colors, promises the company.

Although only the prototypes have been built, Elio has won victories on several fronts that secure it ease of sales to the general public as well as a chance at getting the manufacturing facility they need. You see, Elio relocated to Louisiana in order to try to gain access to a shuttered General Motors plant near Shreveport in a town called Caddo Parish. The town purchased the plant and leased it to a development company in California who’s promised to lease a portion of the plant to Elio so they can build their car on 3 wheels.

What’s more, Elio is promising that the car will not only achieve 84 mpg, have a top speed of 100 miles per hour or more, and be fully crash tested, but they’re planning to deliver the car for the unheard of price of only $6,800 without cutting corners on the amenities car owners are used to. The 3 wheels will still hold climate controls, a radio, and more. What’s more, the car on 3 wheels will also be almost completely American made, Elio claims.

Made in America, cheaper than most motorcycles, fast enough to go on the highway, highly fuel efficient, and five-star crash test rated.. what’s not to like about these 3 wheels?

Well, the Elio does have its detractors. At issue is the price point, costs associated with manufacture, and what’s seen as a questionable business plan at best. Car News Cafe detailed those questions about Elio Motors in an editorial earlier this year.

Despite these worries, though, tens of thousands have reportedly signed up and written a check for deposits on the car. The 3 wheels are expected to begin rolling out of the Elio factory sometime in the next 18 months. Until that happens, of course, the debate over whether this car is “vaporware” or the real deal will continue.